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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,217
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I recently acquired this crude village-made blacksmith knife and I'm not sure as to what I have. I've been told everything from a Civil War Bowie, to an Indian Trade Knife, a Mountaineer's blade, etc. and I also realize that it could be a modern copy. I like the wear and tear and the traces of the file it was made from.
It comes with a scabbard which fits , but is too short; obviously, the top has broken off and the remaining metal throat seems to fit the sheath and the knife, however, that may not be the case that it belongs with this dagger. This is probably one I'll never figure out, but a consensus. It measures 16.25" and 1 & 5/8" at its widest. |
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#2 |
Lead Moderator European Armoury
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Portugal
Posts: 9,694
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Difficult to give a style name, Drac, as it was made of various parts. Perhaps best is to simply call it ... a knife
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#3 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,217
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Well,no one can contest the accuracy of your observation, lol. That will probably be the best that I will receive. The blade, an (old file), and the guard were both hand forged, and the handle is probably deer stag, so it isn't a composite knife made from other swords,etc.
I think we can assume that it is of North American origin. |
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#4 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,287
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I'd place it in the wide category of what is known as a Bowie knife.
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#5 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,217
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I agree;I just found an example with a very similar blade that I will post when my technical dept. gets home.
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#6 |
Arms Historian
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 9,896
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Looks to me like a very interesting 'frontier' knife of probably mid 19th c. give or take. The 'Bowie' term of course became a collective term for virtually any large frontier knife, it seems regardless of the actual configuration, as Rick has noted.
These followed no distinct pattern, but obviously were simply fashioned pragmatically for the rugged use on the plains, so real way to determine more exact, but certainly seems period, and not reproduction. As Drac notes, likely and old file blade (very common and actually the 'first' Bowie was reputed from an old file blade) and bone hilt. Very nice !IMO! Rugged frontier charm. |
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