October 25, 2023 The Paul Friedrich Collection of Firearms & Gold Rush
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/25/2023
Circa 1850s. Large 10" spearpoint bladed bowie knife. Mounted with a German silver pommel and pinched fleur-de-lis style guard. Slab horn handles with German silver escutcheon. Pommel is embossed with a Mexican eagle and snake. Marked on the ricasso: "WILSON SWIFT/ BROAD STREET/SHEFFIELD", with the "DCL" trademark on the reverse side of ricasso. Original German silver-mounted leather scabbard. For a similar knife, see pgs. 98-99 of "Bowie Knives and Bayonets of the Ben Palmer Collection" by Palmer, Moran, and Phillips, 2002. CONDITION: Blade is full-length with most original polish. Most marks visible are from scabbard wear. Some dark mossing near the tip and other areas of minor aging. The knife includes the correct period Moroccan leather scabbard with gold embossed accents.