Beschreibung:

10" singled-edged spear point "butcher" blade with short 1.5" false edge, 16" overall length, 6" hilt with reeded bone handle and silver pillow pommel engraved 1838 on the obverse and with the script initials BM on the reverse. Hilt is very much in the form of an 1820s-1840s period sword, with a small notch in the bottom of the pommel cap and bone grip where a traditional knuckle bow could pass through to attach to the tang. Silver ferrule at front of grip, prior to hilt junction. Flat blade is unmarked and 1.325" wide at widest point. Knife is accompanied by an embossed leather scabbard that is seamed up the rear, with an attached leather frog and belt loop, with a German silver drag. The scabbard is decorated with 14 old brass tacks. The scabbard fits perfectly, but the styling suggests that it is a later period of use replacement, which would not be uncommon. This pattern of large "butcher knife" adapted for carry and use in fighting and surviving in the early period of western expansion is the direct predecessor of the form of knife that would be called the "Bowie". The period when these knives were popular and saw heavy use was in the years immediately before and after the famous Jim Bowie sandbar fight, which made the "Bowie Knife" legendary. Condition: Very good. Blade with some light age staining and surface oxidation, showing some scuffs and sharpening marks. Bone grip with a pleasing cream patina, silver mounts deeply tarnished. Blade to hilt junction solid, pommel cap with some minor wiggle. Sheath very good with some wear and surface mars. Tacks deeply patinaed.