Civil War Era Bowie Knife

[Rich]

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