Joseph Rodgers & Sons Bowie Knife 8" Blade Cast Handle

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This is absolutely the best English Bowie in my collection and honestly, the best Joseph Rodgers knife I've ever seen. I'm slowly dismantling a 40 year collection of knives, swords, assorted militaria, art and collectibles as well as an extensive firearms library - trying to decide what goes and what passes on to my kids and it's an agonizing process at best. This big, 8 1/4 inch blade (13 inches overall), Rodgers bowie is as handsome as they get, Weighing a full pound, this marvelously constructed bowie is just about as perfect as the day it was sold, back during Queen Victoria's reign; I'm guessing, probably sometime between 1870 and 1890. I've never seen a blade tapered down so gracefully from a tang measuring a full 1/4 inch thick and between the sheer weight of the tang as well as the cast German silver or nickel scales forming the handle, the balance and heft is solidly in the hand, creating an awesome thrusting, cutting weapon - this beauty is not to be confused with a hunting knife; this is strictly a fighting knife. The clipped point is dramatic; it starts 4 inches forward of the hilt and continuing the last 4 1/4 inches to the needle point tip. The blade has it's original polish and sharpening, showing no signs of re-sharpening. T are very tiny almost microscopic scratches and t and minor spotting at the ricasso but the brilliant factory polish is all t Only with a glass can I even begin to see some tiny use dings on the edge, showing ownership and careful use. The blade is stamped very strongly with the crown and VR for Victoria's Reign as well as the legend, "Joseph Rodgers & Sons Cutlers To Her Majesty". The Rodgers trademarks of the Asterisk and Maltese Cross appear below. The handle is breathtaking with it's cast scales of German silver or nickel, showing a wonderful winged Gryphon and flourishes on both sides. This handle is illustrated exactly as seen in a Rodgers catalog dating to King George's reign (probably aroubd 1910) and being of a later reign, is marked with the Full Rodgers sheffield Address as well as "Cutlers To THEIR Majesties". Obviously this style handle was in the Rodgers line from the time of this one in Victoria's time to just before WW1. As can be noted in the catalog, apparently a number of different sheaths were available. The sheath in which this fine knife rests is just about as new condition; being a fine grained cordovan leather and having what I'm guessing to be, a sterling silver tip judging by the very black tarnished appearance with just a bit of silver showing through. I'm not a 'polisher', I'll leave that up to the next owner. The sheath's stitching is 100% perfect and tight, being a single heavy line running down the center of the front side. The sheath has a very close fitting belt loop and judging by the purposely bulged throat area, would seem to be suited to thrusting in one's waistband. Just a fantastic bowie that defies description as to how it feels in the hand - it's a guy thing... Hit the reasonable reserve early on this knife because the longer I look at it, the less I want to part with it! NOTE: This bowie is being sold as a historic antiquity and object of art, it is not intended as a weapon and anyone bidding acknowledges that by doing so, they attest to being at least 18 years of age and that their city, state and country's laws are not being broken through the purchase and receipt of this knife. By guessing at this knife's era to be 1870 to 1890, let me say that I am not an expert on British Royal markings and do not limit the knife's age to that era. Victoria, having been the longest reigning Monarch in English history, ruled from 1836 to 1901 and I suppose the knife could have been made as early as the California Gold Rush days through The Civil War era, during the time of the great export of Sheffield knives to America. The later exports had a decidedly sporting or hunting quality to them wa... read more

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