3093

CONFEDERATE BOWIE-BAYONET MOST LIKELY THE PRODUCT

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
CONFEDERATE BOWIE-BAYONET MOST LIKELY THE PRODUCT
OF COOK & BROTHER OF NEW ORLEANS. This is a very fine example of a classic Confederate bowie made w/ 2 unfinished brass muzzle rings, well finished rosewood grip, 12 1/2” 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 in marked Cook cutlass scabbards. It would be difficult to find a better complete example of this Confederate bowie. CONDITION: very good to fine overall; blade is gray/bright w/ light staining, brass mts. to grip & sheath have mixed dark mustard patina, leather sheath body is sound & solid retaining most of its original finish w/ scuffing & chipping, original 4” sewn belt loop is complete but broken at one end, sheath mts. are punched & pinned; missing 4 pins. (02-13591/JS). $3,000-4,000.