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CONFEDERATE BOWIE KNIFE MOST LIKELY THE PRODUCT OF

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
CONFEDERATE BOWIE KNIFE MOST LIKELY THE PRODUCT OF
COOK & BROTHER OF NEW ORLEANS. This is a very fine example of a classic Confederate bowie originally made w/ 2 unfinished brass muzzle rings that have been removed. Well finished rosewood grip, 11 3/4" clip point blade & original brass mounted sheath. Norm Flayderman in his monumental text "The Bowie Knife" "the only mention of the term "Bowie-Bayonet" in literature leading up to the Civil War is made by U.S. admiral John Dahlgren who coined the term for his knife used on a navy rifle". His lesser known brother Confederate General Charles Dahlgren notes in early war telegrams that he wishes "Bowie knives put on guns, Cook in New Orleans can do it" & in a second telegram a few days later he wishes the bowie knives not get put on guns. This explains the reason for such variation in the "muzzle rings" or lack of muzzle rings plus filed muzzle rings. Rosewood is never seen on Confederate weapons w/ the exception of this genre of bowie. New Orleans is well known however for the use of rosewood, antebellum bowies & surgical tools. The use of "punch marks" & pins to secure scabbard mts. is also seen on marked Cook cutlass scabbards. It would be difficult to find a better complete example of this Confederate bowie retaining much of its original polish & luster. CONDITION: very good to fine overall; blade has light areas of sharpening retaining original finishing marks, luster w/ scattered staining & pitting, rosewood grip retains much of its original varnish, sheath is sound & solid w/ stitching loose, scuffing & craquelure. Sheath is shrunk & there is about a 1/2” gap between guard & throat, throat has cracking & sm. reductions, missing belt loop. Brass grip mts. have dirty chocolate/olive patina, sheath mts. have medium to dark mustard patina. (02-13618/JS). $3,000-4,000.