LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 June Civil War Grand Format Auction #663  / 

72232

A Confederate Bayonet 'Bowie' and Scabbard Captu

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:13,750.00 USD Estimated At:55,000.00 - 65,000.00 USD
A Confederate Bayonet 'Bowie' and Scabbard Captu
<B>A Confederate Bayonet 'Bowie' and Scabbard Captured at the Battle of Fair Oaks - Engraved</B></I> This is a one-of-a-kind Boyle, Gamble and MacFee bayonet used by a Confederate soldier as a Bowie fighting knife during the Civil War, engraved by its captor and comes from the collection of noted author and collector Norm Flayderman. <BR>Confederates preferred to use their bayonets, when they had them, as fighting knives and here we have a very rare example of just such a weapon <I>and</B></I> its scabbard. This blade has an even, rich patina and an intricately engraved inscription completed sometime after this blade was captured at the Battle of Fair Oaks. Everything on this bayonet Bowie is intact and authentic, even the locking mechanism for the bayonet in the grip. Boyle, Gamble and MacFee of Richmond, Virginia were the premier makers of swords and bayonets for the Confederacy. Their name is proudly stamped across the 3 ½” guard of this bayonet Bowie. At the top of the grip is stamped the number "52". We know that this weapon was used by a Confederate on the battlefield as it was captured at the Battle of Fair Oaks, Virginia on June 1, 1862, a battle where Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston was severely wounded. At 3” from the ricasso of the bayonet Bowie there begins an elaborate 5 ½” engraved inscription commemorating the battle and its capture by a fortunate Union private. In an oval shape surrounded by an intricate floral design, the following engraving appears:<BR><I> Taken by R. Barret of the 15th Regt. Mass. V.M. at the Battle of Fair Oaks, Va. June 1, 1862</B></I><BR> The 15th Massachusetts had seen much action before that June day in 1862. They fought at Ball's Bluff and at Yorktown before engaging General Johnston at Fair Oaks and Seven Pines beginning May 31st. Indeed Private Richard Barret as part of Company G of the 15th Massachusetts Infantry was there. The weapons expert collector and author Norm Flayderman had this bayonet Bowie in his collection and once wrote that he had known of “no other inscribed, similar piece. Its rarity quite speaks for itself!”<BR> Amazingly, the leather and brass scabbard is complete and intact and accompanies this bayonet Bowie. With a 2” brass throat and frog and a 3 ½” drag, it is in good condition making this set not only an extreme rarity of Civil War combat, but a historically important weapon as well. <BR><B> Provenance:</B></I> <I>The Norm Flayderman Collection; The Tharpe Collection of American Military History</B></I> <BR><B>Exhibited:</B></I> <I>The Liberty Heritage Society Museum</B></I><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Requires 3rd Party Shipping (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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