June 12-13, 2019 Edged Weapon, Armor, & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/12/2019
Very large bowie knife c.1840s, with an 11-3/4" clip point blade with sharpened false edge. Over 1/4" thick and about 2-3/16" wide at its widest point, marked on its face CAST STEEL BOWIE KNIFE. Nickel silver frame handle with integral guard and pommel, ivory scales with escutcheons on both sides. The handle frame is stamped ARDEN in four places, perhaps the name of a previous owner. The old leather sheath, a period replacement, is also stamped N ARDEN. This example is similar to a couple of well known large knives by Sheffield's S.C. Wragg, including the "Mississippian" knife pictured in Classic Bowie Knives by Abels (p.62). c. 1840s. CONDITION: General signs of use and age, the blade with scattered spotting, has been cleaned; the handle with four chips and two additional small cracks. The leather sheath is soft and flexible.