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Rex Applegate
LOT 1530
Rare Historic Documented Al Mar Knives 10th Anniversary Commemorative Bowie Knife Presented
to Founder
of the Office
of Strategic
Services “School
for Spies and
Assassins”,
Colonel Rex
Applegate - This
massive and attractive commemorative
Bowie knife includes a
1990 dated letter from
Al Mar knives addressed to colonel Rex Applegate stating that it was being presented to him in appreciation for his support
of the company through some of their toughest times. Colonel Rex
Applegate was in the U.S. army in World War II and was developing various forms of close quarters combat techniques at Camp Ritchie when he was recruited by William “Wild Bill”
Donovan to establish and run “The School for Spies and Assassins” for the newly created Office of Strategic Services (OSS). Applegate in cooperation with William Fairbairn learned
all he could about armed and unarmed combat to develop a training regimen for the OSS. After the war he went on to promote and teach his combat techniques in various circles,
including law enforcement and Hollywood. He wrote multiple books regarding his close combat techniques including “Kill or Get Killed” and “Riot Control: Material and Techniques”,
copies of which are included with this lot. In the 1980s, Applegate developed a modified version of the legendary Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife which had been carried by commandos
of the SAS and OSS during World War II. The Applegate-Fairbairn knife, as he called it, featured many improvements upon the shortcomings of its predecessor which had been found
during combat use. The improved fighting knife was initially offered as a handmade piece by Bill Harsey, Jr., later by Wells Creek Gun and Knife Works, and eventually by Al Mar Knives.
It is likely this design that garnered the appreciation of the Al Mar company and what led to this presentation. One of the included copies of “Knives Illustrated” features an article about
Applegate and the development of this the improved combat knife. The knife itself is a massive, classic Bowie knife design measuring 17 1/4 inches overall, with a 12 inch clip point
blade. The blade is etched on the left with “COLONEL REX APPLEGATE”, and the right is etched with the standard Al Mar 10th anniversary markings. There is a floral engraved brass bolster on the spine, a brass oval guard with matching engraving, and a two-piece black and white micarta, coffin shaped grip with engraved brass divider and pins. Includes the two books mentioned above, two copies of “Knives Illustrated”, and a hardwood display stand for the knife.
CONDITION: Excellent, the blade bright with a few scattered very light handling marks and crisp etching. The brass shows an attractive, very lightly aged patina and crisp engraving. The grip is also excellent with some very fine, hairline age cracks visible in the white portion, and otherwise minimal handling marks. The books are very fine with some light wear (mostly on the dust covers) and the stand is excellent with only the slightest handling/storage marks.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 1531
Attractive, Massive, Exhibition Quality Engraved, Gold Inlaid Ben Shostle Signed
Damascus Style Blade Custom Bowie Knife - This beautifully engraved Bowie knife is by Ben Shostle, a renowned member of the Knife Makers Guild, Firearms Engravers Guild of America
and American Custom Gun Makers Guild. It measures 16 3/4 inches overall with a 11 1/4 inch
clip point blade with attractive Damascene patterns throughout and large wedges of floral scroll engraving on both sides. The left ricasso is discreetly marked “SHOSTLE” which is incorporated in the engraving. The oval shaped guard is attractively engraved with wavy lines and floral motifs. The bolster below the guard is also extensively engraved with floral scroll and has a gold inlaid bighorn sheep head on the left. It is fitted with smooth stag grip scales and the pommel shows the same extensive floral scroll engraving.
CONDITION: Excellent, the blade showing an attractive grey tone with extensive and attractive Damascene patterns throughout, only the slightest handling evidence, and crisp engraving. The remaining metal is equally excellent, showing bright with crisp engraving and retaining all of the gold inlay. The grip scales are also excellent with only the slightest handling evidence. A masterwork Bowie knife by renowned craftsman, Ben Shostle!
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
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