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IMPRESSIVE IRON MOUNTED STAG HORN HANDLED BOWIE
KNIFE – A FULL SIZED WELL EXECUTED KNIFE WITH THE
ORIGINAL MATCHING IRON MOUNTED SCABBARD:
A very nice example of the
knife maker’s art, this matching Bowie Knife and
Scabbard set exhibits both the fine work and extra
touches available to a man of means, as well as the
durability and heft adventurous men of the 19TH
Century relied on to defend their lives at close
quarters.
The knife measures 16 ½” in overall length, and the
blade is 11” long and 1 ½” wide at the guard. The spear
point shaped blade features a single stopped fuller only
on the right side, a substantial spine which measures
5/16” thick at the guard, and a false edge on the top of
the blade which runs 3” back from the tip. The blade
retains an overall bright polish with only minor
peppered discoloration and no careless sharpening marks
or other faults. The blade still retains a keen sharp
edge with only one small nick just behind the point.
The blade is firmly set in the grip with no play.
All of the fittings on the knife are made of iron,
including the guard, grip ferrule and cap, and the
scabbard throat and tip. The grip is made of natural
surface stag horn, providing an ample, secure grip in
the user’s hand. The section of horn was wisely
oriented to the blade to take advantage of its natural
curve - as the knife hung on the belt, the handle was
curved away from the body, presenting a ready grip and
free of any clothing that would inhibit drawing the
knife. The stag horn has a nice aged color and the
expected worn feel to the surface. The iron cap is well
fitted and firmly in place, decorated with two
concentric rings. The lower grip ferrule is also iron.
The guard measures 3 ¾” long and right at 1” wide at the
swell. The guard is full form with no damage and still
retains some of the original blued finish, now plum
brown as found on the other features. The guard has
some play and it appears – due to a faint outline on the
face of the guard and a space between the guard and the
sheath throat when the knife is sheathed – that there
was a leather washer once secured between the face of
the guard and the blade – something that could easily be
restored should the new owner so desire.
As noted above, the black leather scabbard features an
iron throat and tip still firmly attached to the
leather. The metal work is well executed, featuring
matching scalloped treatment on the front and rear
interior edges of the throat and tip. The throat
incorporates an acorn shaped stud which would have
engaged the leather hanger slide on the belt and the tip
has a ring treatment at the lower end. The fittings
show some evidence of the original finish, with some
bright blue remaining on the top rear of the throat, and
the remainder of the surviving finish now having turned
an aged plum brown, with no pitting or other damage.
The leather is strong with no weak, flexed, creased or
broken points as so many of these old scabbards
suffered. The surface of the leather was coated with an
applied tar finish when new and the majority of that
finish remains, crinkled with age as is normally
encountered, but still firmly attached to the leather
with no flaking. There are a couple of small spots
where the tar finish was worn when the knife was
carried, but these do not detract from the overall
appearance of the knife.
The style of the knife and the shape of the blade
suggest it was made in England, perhaps Sheffield, but
there are no markings of any kind on the knife.
To provide you with some perspective on the size of this
knife, I’ve included a photograph of the knife alongside
a Model 1851 Colt Navy Revolver (unfortunately, this has
to be said – the pistol is not included with the sale
of this knife).
This is a very attractive 19TH Century Bowie
Knife which presents well with the original scabbard and
the set has survived obvious use and regular carry in
remarkably nice condition. Not a “dandy’s” knife,
rather one that suggests it was carried by a man who
felt the need of its constant company.
(1002) $1950
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