LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 Collection of Western History #680  / 

74034

THE FIRST U.S. RIFLEMAN'S KNIFE AND ORIGINAL BRA

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
THE FIRST U.S. RIFLEMAN'S KNIFE AND ORIGINAL BRA
<B>THE FIRST U.S. RIFLEMAN'S KNIFE AND ORIGINAL BRASS MOUNTED SHEATH AND WOOD HANDLE CIRCA 1840 - <BR></B></I>The Bowie knife became not only a standard accouterment but a necessity of the frontiersmen and military of the 19th Century. This is the very first regulation military knife to be issued to troops in the field known as a Hicks rifleman's knife. This is one of only a few to exist in its original brass-mounted scabbards. <BR>This beautiful American made14 1/2" knife has seen much use, plain and utilitarian in design, harkening back to the original Bowie design that went to the Alamo with Jim Bowie himself. The 9" blade is just over 1" wide and gives evidence of its extensive use. Above the over 2" wide crossguard are the substantial and heavy rosewood grips which are held securely in place by two heavy rivets that pass through the single blade which is in one piece and passes to end of the grip where it is capped by a 1" brass plate and two smaller rivets.<BR>While there is a slight crack of the wood on the right side of the top rivet, it does not detract from or hinder the usefulness of this rare military bowie knife. Equally as impressive is the solid brass with leather insert sheath which is original to this weapon. The brass has an even and medium brown patina, the leather just the right scuffing appropriate to use with a small crack at the top which does not detract from the appearance on display. The brass frog is in place on the rear making this knife and sheath an overall impressive fighting weapon.<I> From The William Turner Collection.</B></I><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Bats, Clubs, Sticks, Swords, Rif (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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