September 9, 10, & 11, 2025 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/9/2025
Large and impressive Gold Rush era Sheffield Bowie knife and scabbard, circa 1836-1850. Features a 9 - 1/4” clip point blade with Spanish notch at choil and a 6 - 1/2" false edge. Marked on its forged bolster "WOLFE & CLARKS / NEW YORK". Handle is dog bone shaped with silver washed cast brass frame with finely engraved foliate designs at pommel; 2-piece horn grips fastened with 8 pins and long nickel silver escutcheons. A later Philadelphia made scabbard accompanies the knife. 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 moderately cleaned and still shows some stains and light pitting, very good overall. Right-hand handle shows small worm hole.
Item Dimensions: L: 15"