June 9-10, 2017 Premier Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/10/2017
Circa late 1840's to early 1850's. Clip point blade, marked "[JO]HN YEOMANS". One piece checkered ivory handle with nickel silver horse head pommel, floral guard, and pommel. Original morocco leather sheath is embossed “California Knife” in gold, nickel silver tip and throat. Blade has been lightly cleaned over a coarse finish, handle with a few fine age cracks, all solid and intact. Sheath body with some scuffing, frog stud missing. Ex. Steve Miller, Norm Flayderman, Mike Worley collections.
Publications:
“The Sheffield Knifemakers” by Steve Miller, in Gun Report, Aug. 1973, p.26
“Plain & Fancy, The Sheffield Bowie Knife” by Steve Miller, in Gun Report, Nov. 1973, pp. 54-55.
“Steel Canvas, The Art of American Arms” by R.L. Wilson (1995), p.206
“The Bowie Knife, Unsheathing an American Legend” by Norm Flayderman (2004), p.420
According to research published in Tweedale’s Directory of Sheffield Cutlery Manufacturers 1740-2013, John Yeomans appears to have been an independent manufacturer from approximately 1845 to 1854, at which time the firm name became John Yeomans & Son. Yeomans died in 1859.