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#1 |
(deceased)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 3,191
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Hi All
This is my latest addition. A 1860s era Bowie knife these knives were produced in India by very skilled blade smiths for export to the confederate states during the American civil war. This is a lovely example marked ARNACHELLUM SALEM the 9.5" blade is very clean or has been cleaned and only has a few minor nicks in the edge. All the fittings are steel and the hilt is a nice piece of sambar stag. The scabbard is original and is leather covered wood with a steel retaining clip. Let me know what you think? Lew |
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#2 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,781
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Most impressive, shipped to the CSA by the British no doubt. I believe the British rather hedged thier bets on the outcome for some time. Very interesting. Tim
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#3 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: comfortably at home, USA
Posts: 432
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These are great knives (I've two of them - one exactly like this);
HOWEVER, Flayderman's book (bible of bowie collections) says they were not likely in the US until late 19th or early 20th C. They are tiger hunting knives, made for the Brits while occupying India. Returned to England and then made their way to the states late in 19th C or early 20th C. While possibly made as early as mid 19th C, not likely to be used in US civil war. Regardless of exact history, still very well made knives deserving a place in collection IMHO. There was also an article in one of the Knives Annual some time back about them with a couple having carved silver and/or ivory handles. Personally I love them. Nice find. Here's mine. Sorry for poor pics, just quickly cropped from a larger group pic. http://home.earthlink.net/~steinpic/india.jpg Rich S Last edited by Rich; 27th November 2005 at 09:48 AM. Reason: add pic |
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#4 |
(deceased)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 3,191
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Rich
You are correct I did a little research and they were first used by the Brits during the later 1800s 1870-1890s as hunting knives. Still a nice looking knife and a great piece of cultery history. Lew |
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