April 11-13, 2023 Firearms and Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/12/2023
Circa 1841-1847 Gold Rush to Mexican War era Bowie knife. Measures just over a foot overall with a 8 1/4” clip point blade with sharpened false edge. Ricasso is maker stamped: "WOODHEAD & HARTLEY/7 LAMBERT STREET/SHEFFIELD". Blade most likely had an acid etched patriot or similar scene now worn off. Coffin-shaped handle of frame construction with mother of pearl scales inlaid with a crest-style silver escutcheon on the obverse. The boat shaped guard and full half horse, half alligator pommel are both of nickel silver. This classic Bowie knife style by George Woodhead (here in his early partnership with Hartley) is one of the most distinctive in all of Bowie knife collecting. The fine pearl handles really set this knife apart. CONDITION: The blade is in good to very good condition with scattered light pitting and a few sharpening scratches with the etching faed off. The handle is in excellent condition with no cracks or chips to the scales and only light wear to the fittings.