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U.S. Civil War Period Patriotic Bowie Knife w/ Etched Blade & Leather Scabbard
Guns International #: 102645373 Seller's Inventory #: CB24-24
Category: Edged Weapons Pre 1900 - Knives - Fighting
Seller's Information
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Seller: Antique & Modern Firearms, Inc.
Company: Antique & Modern Firearms, Inc.
Member Since: 4/27/15
State: Kentucky
Zip: 40503
Country: United States
Phone: (859) 276-1419
Fax: (859) 278-0838
Platinum Seller
Number of Active Listings: 187
Total Number of Listings: 14905
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Visa,Master Card, Discover,Check
Description:
This interesting and handsome antique Bowie knife is a great example of the British-made knives being imported into America in the 1850's. The Brits, made acutely aware of the strong patriotism shared among Americans in the Revolutionary War, successfully used that to help sell their products. British-made Bowie knives were being used all over the country, and this was a time when this country was still very much wild in the west, and traveling across the country, or even crossing a state could be dangerous, so a well-made, sufficiently large knife could be the difference between life and death. With the outbreak of the American Civil War, a huge number of these Bowies went to war with their owners, as was often the custom at that time with pistols and knives.
This particular Bowie knife is just a great representative example of the knives that were being carried at that time, and it is more interesting than many others due to the etching on the left side of the blade that gives it the name "Patriotic Bowie" with collectors today. The bade is etched with an American motif consisting of a Bald Eagle at center perched on a tree limb with its wings outspread to either side, and under each wing is a patriotic saying. The etching has faded, but it is still all visible and 100% legible, The eagle may look more "angry chicken" than a proud eagle, but it is a great example of the stylized art that was in-favor at that time. The blade is 7" inches long, the overall length is 11 & 7/8ths" inches long, and the handle consists of two cast silver scales soldered together over the tang of the blade. The handle iis very attractive as there is another eagle and shield along with a mixture of scrolls and beading molded into both silver grip scales. As you can see from the pictures, this Bowie knife shows an attractive and evenly aged patina to all of the parts, and overall the knife and scabbard is in great shape. The blade is free from any cracks, voids in the steel, repairs or major damage. The blade is sharp and straight, and shows only a couple tiny little chips in the cutting edge that you would expect to see on a knife like this that probably was used for every use a knife can possibly be used for, from opening a can to killing the enemy on the battlefield. The oval-shaped brass crossguard is still in-place and it just has a touch of movement in it. This knife comes complete with the original leather scabbard, which is nicely made and perfectly fit to the knife. The main body of the scabbard is red-brown colored leather, with a thin metal throat and gold leaf decorations embossed on the front face. The scabbard likely had a protective metal tip but it has been lost to time.
All in all, this is a very neat Bowie knife from a very volatile period in our country's history. It's a great piece to add to any antique American weapons collection, as this style of knife was quite prolific in the pre-Civil War and during the Civil War era it's blade design being uniquely suited to bush-craft, self-defense from dangerous animals both with fur and animals of the two-legged variety in the yet-untamed parts of the country, everyday chores that a man had to complete to survive, and hand-to-hand fighting in warfare. This is real piece of American history, and in addition to being a great long-term investment, it would make a superb display/conversation piece on bookshelf or mantle in your home.
Price: $1,650.00