*1860s SOUTHERN or CONFEDERATE BOWIE KNIFE – Fine & Rare American KNIFE****

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STUNNING and GENUINE example of a large 1860s Civil War EraSheffield Clip-Point Fighting Bowie KnifeI purchased this knife from a very reputable seller in Atlanta, Ga. They were selling two Bowies, a top Sheffield knife by James Westa with a full nickel-silver sheath, pearl handle, and eagle cross-guard ---- and this Southern knife. The previous owner was collecting top examples; and this is one of the best Southern made or Confederate type knives I have ever seen on Ebay as far as the overall fit and finish.Measures 13.1 -inch overall, with an 8 -inch blade.The blade thickness is extraordinary – measures .25 inch or ¼ inch.The blade on this knife is wonderfully thick and sturdy in your hand. The surface is in great original condition; shows multiple use marks and old sharpening. The blade has a diverse genuine patina – showing multiple colors ranging from gunmetal gray to almost black. There is no pitting on the face of the blade, minor pitting showing clearly genuine age on the blade edge. A dramatic squared choil adds to the desirable overall configuration of the clip-point blade.The blade is “forged” steel with a powerful clip-point, there is no evidence of a file being used but it is the approximate type of steel. The overall shape has been forged in a strong but artistically pleasing manner with a powerful overall look that is quite striking. There are other minor surface discolorations throughout the blade but the finish is original and even. The translucent patina has aged deep into the blade steel and the brass cross-guard – with the proper “rainbow” effect.The tip of the blade is present, and the clip is very classic and wonderfully executed. There are very minor nicks on the blade edge that are from original use, and some pinprick pitting that lasted into the thinner part of the edge. The knife is very sturdy all together, with no movement at all; every part of this knife is 100% original including the handle and bone scales.The knife is unmarked in any way – but the style of the construction can tell us a great deal about where it was manufactured and how. The majority of “homespun” Confederate knives are crude iron and wood forged from spare files or parts, with a D-guard or circular disks holding the simple handle on – they were made by local blacksmiths or makers who were not professional knife or weapon manufacturers. This is why most of the Southern knives that were hand-made are very crude and do not show the most advanced techniques.This knife clearly was made by a competent knife maker – closer examination of the cross-guard will show that it was likely produced at, or near the major manufacturing centers for Confederate edged weapons. If you have the new Flayderman knife book, observe the brass-handled Confederate Bowies featured from pg. 210-230. Pay particular attention to the top of the single piece full brass guards of the knives on page 211. You will notice that although the style of handle is different and made in two pieces – the area near the top of the cross-guard, where the brass flares out, is a Southern style used by the better knife and edged weapon manufacturers of the time. The knives on pg. 211 were manufactured by W.J. McElroy of Macon, Ga. (a name often seen poorly stamped on fake knives now) and E.D. Murray of Mobile, Ala.The brass handle is the most important clue in determining the Southern manufacture of the knife – notice the casting flaws, the top portion which is beveled, the complex fitting of the pommel and the scale sections. The brass handle comes in two separate pieces that clearly show advanced molding and casting capability – this capability would have only been found in the more major manufacturers shops. The fitting joints are twice cut-in or beveled; meaning that the scales had to be fitted by a professional with some sort of manufacturing and finishing capability, as with the brass pins of the same brass composition. Local blacksmiths did not have the expertise to mold and pour cast bras... read more

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