October 25, 2023 The Paul Friedrich Collection of Firearms & Gold Rush
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/25/2023
Large Gold Rush era Sheffield Bowie knife and scabbard, circa 1836-1844. Features a 10 - 1/2” clip point blade with Spanish notch at choil and a 7 - 1/2" false edge. Marked on its forged bolster "WOLFE & CLARKS / NEW YORK". Handle is dog bone shaped with silver washed cast brass frame finely engraved with shell at volute crossguard and foliate designs at pommel; 2-piece stag grips fastened with 8 pins and long nickel silver escutcheons. An embossed Moroccan leather sheath accompanies the knife with nickel silver throat and tip. Wolfe & Clark were New York importers/arms dealers in business from approximately 1836 to 1844 at 193 Maiden Lane in New York City. These knives were made for them in Sheffield and then marked with the customer's name, like this example. This firm jumped on the surge of interest in bowie knives very quickly, and sold some unique and desirable knives bearing their mark, such as this example. Similar examples in "The Bowie Knife, Unsheathing an American Legend" by Norm Flayderman (2004), p.138 and 360. CONDITION: Blade has been lightly cleaned and still shows some stains and light pitting, very good overall. Right-hand handle shows moderate worm damage to bottom edge , fittings and sheath with normal wear.
CORRECTION: Based on further research, the sheath on this knife has been changed; please refer to new photos as of 9/21/2023