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19TH CENTURY SMALL BOWIE SHAPED KNIFE
AND ORIGINAL SHEATH –BLADE ENGRAVED WITH A PRESENTATION
– WELL MADE ATTRACTIVE KNIFE WITH A HISTORY:
This knife is styled in the manner of the large clip
point Bowie Knives, however it was made on a smaller
scale. More diminutive than its larger cousins, this
knife is of a size that a gentleman could comfortably
carry in the tail pocket of his frock coat, and the
substantial blade has a keen edge fully capable of
discouraging an attacker.
The blade bears an engraved inscription on both sides
documenting a presentation of the knife which reads “Presented
by I. Ingham” on the right side of the blade and
“Lionel H. Hazling” on the left side. I
have been unable to determine who these men were or what
the relationship was between them, but such a gift must
have commemorated a strong friendship or a healthy
business connection.
Measuring 9” in overall length, with an 5” blade, the
knife features a clipped point, a strengthening rib
running down the center of the blade on both sides, and
some decorative work along the spine. As mentioned
above, the blade is heavy and stiff and obviously
intended for use rather than decoration. The blade
retains sharp edge, but it retains its form with no loss
due to over sharpening. The surface of the metal is
clean and overall bright with only some minor darkened
spots and no pitting. The grip is fashioned from a horn
tip and the butt is artfully capped with a matching horn
disc. The horn is overall smooth with a nice patina,
has no cracks or splits, and has only a couple of points
of light wear. There is a sheet brass guard between the
blade and the grip and the brass has a very nice aged
deep mustard colored patina.
The sheath which accompanies the knife is old and its
profile indicates it was obviously made to fit this
blade. I can’t decide if the sheath is original to the
period of use of the knife, and it might well be a later
replacement after the original sheath wore out. In
either case it fits the blade perfectly and serves to
protect it well.
This knife has a great look and feel to it, and no doubt
it was made in a small knife shop during the 19TH
Century. With the added value of the engraved
inscription documenting the presentation, this small
Bowie-shaped knife would display well in a number of
different collection groupings related to the Western
Frontier.
SOLD
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