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UNIQUE ONE-OF-A-KIND 1876 CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION KNIFE.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,750.00 USD Estimated At:7,500.00 - 15,000.00 USD
UNIQUE ONE-OF-A-KIND 1876 CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION KNIFE.
A 3-O" foot tall special exhibition knife was made by the ìBeaver Falls Cutlery Worksî of Western Pennsylvania which was in operation from the mid 1860ís to the mid 1880ís. This is a remarkable item weighing 4-O lbs with a monster 32î single edge blade (3 inches in width). The massive dark ebony handle is fitted with a large, thick, pewter bolster and matching pommel cap with scalloped edges. Affixed at the center of the handle is a large hand carved white ivory beaver surrounded with inset pewter wire. The iconic Beaver symbolizes the American Fur Trade. The blade shows vestiges of the orig etched designs and panels are lightly visible depicting a large factory building with a sign over the door lettered ìBeaver Falls Cutlery Worksî along with the visible design of a clutched hand holding a knife pointing upward and the motto ìOur Best/Trademarkî. The Beaver Falls Company was founded in 1886 by a religious sect known as the ìHarmony Societyî. This knife would be an ideal addition to any knife collectors display room as a truly unique piece of American cutlery. PROVENANCE: This is the exact knife pictured on a full page in Flaydermanís book ìThe Bowie Knifeî on pages 346 and 347 while still in the Norm Flayderman collection.††This knife was made for the companyís cutlery exhibit at the famous 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. CONDITION: Etchings on the knife blade are intact but are quite faint.†Knife is in orig condition with no restoration. 48268 RGG5