3140

MAGNIFICIENT & MASSIVE CIRCA 1835 SHEFFIELD BOWIE.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:20,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
MAGNIFICIENT & MASSIVE CIRCA 1835 SHEFFIELD BOWIE.

16” overall, 13” clip point upswept blade, sparce 5” etched panels with vines, leaves, and berries, stamped ”WARRANTED OF / THE BEST STEEL”. The top edge is notched en suite to cross guard design, 6” clip is sharpened. “G. OATES / SHEFFIELD” is stamped on ricasso. Notched & sculptured cast German silver hilt with ivory slab grips with tiny pinned decoration of eagle atop shield and two 6-pointed stars on either side. Sheath is red Moroccan leather veneer with scalloped German silver mounts including middle mount with large heart. This knife is pictured on 245 of “Accoutrements IV” by Jim Johnston, ex-collection Bill Myers.
George Oates (1810-1861) was well known scissor manufacturer in Sheffield. He is found in Sheffield directories in 1820s up to 1833 as scissor maker, but in 1837 he is listed as scissor & dagger maker. His foray into knives was short as by 1840 and all directories later, he is listed only as scissor manufacturer employing 30 workers at his death. The demand for bowies in 1830s was strong and Sheffield cutlers made many in this period to rival the American made Schively and others made early 1830s. There are several other large distinctive cast frame bowies by Oates but this is unique and cutler’s finest work, elegant sculpted D-guard, ivory with American pique decoration, elegant upswept blade with long sharpened clip which survived in flawless condition.
CONDITION: bowie is very fine, much luster to blade with staining & light pitting, ivory slabs have age patina. German silver hilt sound with toned patina. German silver sheath mounts are sound with no denting, stained, uncleaned verdigris on tip. Sheath body is fragile with separations on either side between middle decorative mount and tip with fold, sheath still fits well.
(02-17774/JS). $20,000-30,000.