1850s SHEFFIELD BOWIE W / 14" BLADE! & ORIGINAL SHEATH! FORGET WALL STREET; INVEST IN ANTIQUES. ITS MORE FUN! Start Price USD 499.99 Current Price USD 499.99 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Monday, October 27, 2008 End Time Wednesday, November 26, 2008 Location Fairfield, California See more about '1850s SHEFFIELD BOWIE W / 14" BLADE! & ORIGINAL SHEATH!' Description MID-19TH CENTURY SHEFFIELD BOWIE KNIFE WITH 14" BLADE & ORIGINAL SHEATH!Click to EnlargeClick to EnlargeClick to EnlargeClick to EnlargeClick to EnlargeClick to EnlargeClick to EnlargeClick to EnlargeClick to EnlargeClick to EnlargeClick to EnlargeClick to EnlargeClick to EnlargeClick to EnlargeClick to EnlargeClick to EnlargeDescription:Antique 19th Century Sheffield Bowie knife made from 1/8" thick stock x 1 3/16" wide blade x nearly 14" long blade (13 7/8" long)!, and includes the original sheath. I did a study years ago on knives in the Abels catalog, and discovered that only about 5% of knives in that catalog had blades that were 12" or longer; thus, they are considered to be very rare in this length. This Bowie knife is a whopping 18 5/8" long. BIGGER IS BETTER!; and this is is an imposing size and intimidating Bowie knife. If I were to be engaged in a fracas, attempted robbery, melee, or be accosted by a thug, ner' do good or bandito, I sure would want to have a long bladed Bowie vs. a regular sized side knife. A larger knife like this could actually deter a potential assault; and may have been worn as a side knife / weapon for just such a purpose. The size of this Bowie would have been suitable not only as a self defense weapon, but also used for dressing big game, clearing a camp site, or chopping kindling wood for a fire. There are no chips or nicks to the edge of the blade when running a finger along the edge, as would be expected for large weapon/tool like this. The blade has a full tip, and about a 2" false edge on the top. The blade has a "blood groove", aka a "fuller"; which is useful to alleviate the suction encountered in removing the blade when dressing big game. It also helps to strengthen the blade, and helps with the balance of the knife; as well as adding some aesthetic value. The fuller is about 6 1/2" x 3/8" wide, and is ground into the blade on both sides. The blade has been properly sharpened, and much of the original polish remains. As expected, there are light patches of spidering and a few small area of light pitting. The original brown leather sheath has a reinforced leather tip and throat in red leather. This appears to be period, and done at the time the original belt loop (a few small stitching holes can be seen just below the added belt frog) was removed and replaced with the attachment method preferred by the owner; i.e., to have this long Bowie hang from the belt on a leather frog collar. The original leather collar and small piece of the belt loop remain intact. Understandably, this would be the first thing to wear out. The leather color and texture of the frog match the sheath and looks original; however, it is crudely stitched to the sheath in the back, suggesting an addition. The red leather veneer added to the tip and throat are also period; but have a different stitching pattern, suggesting it was done at the same time the loop on the front of the sheath was replaced with the belt frog. The knife fits snugly into the sheath. The hilt is in the form of a "Bird's Head"; a well known and typically early style that originated in the 1830's. The tang of the blade tapers from the front of the hilt to the back of the pommel; another characteristic of early Bowies. The horn hilt scales are secured with 3 brass "birds eye" rivets onto threaded Iron pins; then, the slots were ground down smoothly when forming the handle. The hilt scales are made from select cow horn, as shown in the grain; the variations in color mostly visible on the back scale. There were many different types of horn used in knife making, and cow horn was readily available, and a popular handle material at the time; and is scarcer than stag horn, another popular handle material. All natural material shrinks over time, especially horn. There is a crack at the pommel rivet as shown in the images. This wide crack is caused by shrinkage at the stress point where the rivet was tightened originally, with the surrounding horn shrinking over the next 150 years. There is also fine naturally occurring crazing to the front scale, and a nick to the horn on the back side near the pommel. The blade is etched in an oval mark "T.W. & J. WALKER", and "WOLVERHAMPTON" in two lines, with their Trade mark logo in the center panel. They could have been a London retailer with this marking; however, they are not listed in the new London Knife book by Flook. Most knives from this period; even the ones with London addresses, were made in Sheffield. Most Sheffield makers are not published, as there were hundreds of Makers and associations over the hundreds of years of Sheffield knife making. I only found one reference to a J. Walker; in "A Sure Defence, The Bowie Knife Book" by Ken Burton. His listing is somewhat confusing, but shows a James Walker listed: "Walker, James. 57 Eldon Street, Sheffield and 61 Eldon Street, Sheffield (1853) Circa 1845-62". It is likely that this James Walker is the same as the J. Walker etched on the blade. There were many affiliations in Sheffield; especially with the apprentice / family system; so it is likely that T.W. (Walker) is the son or relative of J. Walker. They could also have been a manufacturer, a retailer; or both. Regardless, this knife appear to date within the dates listed for J. Walker, probably to the 1850's. This Bowie knife is old and real; and, has an extremely long (and thus, rare) blade length. The bird's head hilt is also an indication of an early knife. Complete with the original sheath, and throat of the period hanger. The vast majority of all English Bowies were shipped to the burgeoning U.S. market during this period of Westward expansion. This nearly 14" long blade is in excellent condition for it's age. Perfect for any knife, Bowie, Frontiersman, Western, Old West, Hunting, Hunter, or Camp Knife collector; and an excellent investment for the money. 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