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RARE & IMPRESSIVE LARGE IVORY HANDLED SHEFFIELD

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
RARE & IMPRESSIVE LARGE IVORY HANDLED SHEFFIELD
FOLDING BOWIE, RARE ABKA COA. 13.75" overall opened, 8.5" clip point blade, thin long fuller runs full length at back edge, tapering 1" to 1.4" wide at 2.5" clip. 3.5" German silver "S" shaped guard, German silver pommel, checkered ivory slab grips. Blade lock is spring loaded attached to ring pull which works very well. Blade is marked on ricasso: "JOSEPH HAYWOOD & / MAKERS SHEFFIELD", opposite side has kettle trademark. This is one of only a very few bowies ever given "Certificate of Authenticity" by the "Antique Bowie Knife Association" (ABKA) and signed by three Bowie knife collecting pioneers; Robert Abels, William R Williamson, and Hugh Hayes, 1979. Joseph Haywood (1823-1888) was apprenticed to Robert Sorby, edge tool manufacturer, in the Sheffield census (1841). Joseph's uncle was Sheffield cutler George Willis Hinchliffe. In 1845, Joseph became the 'successor' to Hinchliffe Cutlery. Hinchliffe antebellum bowies are rare, but are seen occasionally. This is only Haywood bowie knife we are aware of. Haywood is first listed in Sheffield directory in 1845 as a merchant and steel, file, edge-tool, saw, and cutlery manufacturer on Victoria Street. Haywood's corporate mark was a kettle, which had been granted in 1860. 1880 census shows a striving business employing 165 workers. He is best known for table cutlery, silver plate, and pocket knives; this is a rare offered bowie. Joseph Haywood died in 1888, his son would take over and bankrupt the business in 2 years. CONDITION: fine overall, crisp markings, blade is fine retaining some original polish, several small nicks in cutting edge. (02-22639/JS). $3,000-4,000.