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LOT 1113
Exceptional, Early Samuel C. Wragg, Sheffield Coffin Hilt Bowie Knife - Manufactured by Samuel C. Wragg of Sheffield, England c. 1840-1842. It measures 12 3/8 inches overall with a 7 7/8 inch clip point blade with a false edge and a gentle curve/”perch belly” to the cutting edge. A Wragg knife with a somewhat similar “perch belly” edge is pictured on p. 430 of “The Bowie Knife” by Norm Flayderman. The right ricasso is marked “SAMUEL/WRAGGS/UNIVERSALLY/ APPROVED/CUTLERY”. The left side of the blade is marked “WARRANTED OF THE BEST QUALITY” which is double stamped. The left ricasso is marked “CASTSTEEL/BOWIE KNIFE” in an oval, a marking which is noted as being present on some of Wragg’s earliest knives imported to the U.S. This marking is also visible on the previously mentioned example
in the book by Flayderman. The elliptical guard is of German silver with ball shaped finials, and joined to the grip with
a floral patterned band. The coffin shaped grip is of smooth antique ivory with a blank German silver escutcheon on
the left. Includes a lightly tooled red leather sheath with German silver fittings. A similar sheath is pictured along with a Wragg knife on p. 297 of “The Antique Bowie Knife Book” by Adams, Voyles, and Moss.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, the blade is very bright over much of the surface with a few small, scattered patches of light pitting/patina, and one small nick in the cutting edge. The German silver is almost entirely bright with very minimal wear. The grip is fine with a moderate age crack on the right, a couple hairline cracks on the left, and otherwise only the slightest handling evidence. The sheath is also exceptionally fine with light wear overall. A very fine example of an early American imported Bowie knife!
Provenance: The Greg Lampe Collection.
Estimate: 15,000 - 25,000