May 8-10, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/8/2024
Circa 1860-1870s classic Gold Rush style Micheal Price California Bowie knife. Knife has beautifully patinated elk horn slab handles held by 3 silver pins. Spearpoint blade measures 5 - 3/4" with a 4" false edge and an overall length of 9 - 1/2." Left side of blade at ricasso roll stamped ''M. PRICE'' in radius over ''SAN FRANCISCO.'' Similar knife is pictured in 'Knifemakers of Old San Francisco' by Bernard Levine pgs. 102-103. Original and correct factory nickeled scabbard with jeweler engraved presentation to 'Major J.C. Basett'. There was a James Basett that served in the 8th U.S. Infantry Regt. during the Mexican War, and a Jonathan Bassett that was a gold miner in Downieville, California in the late 1850s. Will prove to be a rewarding research project. CONDITION: Very good. Blade surface shows some original polish with light handling or cleaning/scabbard scratches overall. No active rust or pitting observed. Handles are tight to tang with no wobble.