September 5-7, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/5/2023
By 1973, when he reinvented Damascus steel, W.F. "Bill" Moran Jr. had already been handcrafting knives for 25 years. His ability to craft high-end custom-made knives earned him a reputation as one of the most well-known modern bladesmiths of his time. "The Father of Modern Damascus" would go on to found the American Bladesmith Society and be inducted into the Blade Magazine Hall of Fame in 1986 and the ABS Bladesmithing Hall of Fame in 1996. Offered here is one of his knives. 5 - 1/2" Damascus steel blade marked "DAMASCUS" on right side of ricasso and "MORAN" on left. Handle is curly maple accented with silver inlays and nickel silver guard and pommel. Accompanied by Moran marked tooled leather wrapped wooden sheath featuring a German silver half moon face on front. CONDITION: Excellent+ and near mint, with virtually all of the original finishes remaining. Sheath is in matching condition with tight stitching. This knife is one of 50 Damascus bladed knives that Bill Moran produced.