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

74021

The Bowie #1 - The Most Valued, Oldest Style Bow

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:7,500.00 USD Estimated At:15,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
The Bowie #1 - The Most Valued, Oldest Style Bow
<B>THE BOWIE #1 - THE EARLIEST STYLE BOWIE - similar to the knife in the "Alamo" Museum Circa 1820-30 - <BR></B></I><BR>This 'Bowie #1, so named by collectors since it is the style carried by Jim Bowie and dates back to the early 1830's, is a solid, beautiful and extremely rare version of the American Bowie. Much sought after by collectors, this 15" overall knife with its 8 3/4" blade was discovered approximately 100 miles from the Mississippi River where James Bowie's knives were made. Indeed, there is a very similar Bowie at the Alamo Museum. This style was used exclusively in the Mississippi Delta region and its historical importance cannot be overstated.<BR>The smooth 8 3/4" blade has a serration intentionally built into the edge at approximately 1" from the ricasso as in the style of a Spanish notch that appeared on the early Bowies. The slim handle is not interrupted by a crossguard where silver work is notched to give the grip a secure feel along the ebony grips. A small, approximately 1" long and 1/8" piece of the dark wood is missing at one of the seven rivets that hold this grip securely in place, an event that occurred long ago due to the very smooth condition of the wood. Ten small rivets hold the coffin-shaped silver butt-strap of the knife securely in place behind the 5" grip. A 3" silver rectangular plate is on the left side of the grip, unengraved and held in place by three rivets.<BR>The 10" leather and silver sheath has had the leather replaced and shows a nice shiny surface of the 3" silver tip which is finished in a small ball finial. The 1 3/4" silver throat has a somewhat more flat finish due to use. <BR>This 'Bowie #1' is one of the earliest of the Bowies ever made possibly by James Black of Arkansas, a historical gem that is sound and sturdy as if ready to conquer the frontier all over again.<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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