Page 191 - 86-Book1

LOT 179
Unmarked Massive Double Barrel Folding Knife Pistol -
NSN, 46 cal., 5
5/8 inch round
bbl., bright finish, stag grips. This unique double barrel knife pistol is similar in appearance to other examples which
often bear
Liege proofs, except that those knife
pistols often exhibit a blade which folds
downward, locking into the area where the
triggers are housed. This example is entirely unmarked and features smoothbore barrels of approximately .46 caliber or 12mm, a 5 1/4 inch folding spearpoint knife blade that folds upward between the barrel, corkscrew triggers that unfold when the hammers are cocked, and stag grip scales.
CONDITION: Very fine with mostly bright metal surfaces, some minor oxidation, and general mild wear. The grip scales are also very fine with some mild wear. The firearm mechanisms are fine. The knife blade does not secure closed and has a notch near the base. A very interesting piece that would have had its carrier prepared for almost any situation!
Estimate: 3,250 - 4,500
LOT 181
Desirable Early William & Samuel Butcher, Sheffield Coffin Handle Fighting Knife with Sheath - Beginning in 1830, the brothers William and Samuel Butcher started their cutlery making partnership in
Sheffield, England, more commonly known as W&S Butcher. Among Bowie knife collectors, the Butcher firm is known as one of the earliest Sheffield firms to break into the American market, making their knives extremely collectible. This example was likely made in the early 1830s, shortly after the firm’s inception. Two nearly identical examples of this knife are pictured and discussed on p. 24-25 (No. 26 and No. 31) of “Classic Bowie Knives” by Robert Abels, and a very similar, albeit more ornate, example is pictured on p. 341 of “The Antique Bowie Knife Book” by Adams, Voyles, and Moss. Both of the examples in the work by Abels have almost identical sheathes to this one and No. 31 has the same blade profile and frog on the scabbard, and may actually be this exact knife, though the photo is inconclusive. It measures 10 5/8 inches overall with a 6 1/2 inch tanto-like blade with a sharpened false edge for over half the length. On the left side of the blade the remnants of the distinctive oval W&S Butcher maker’s mark is visible, most of which has been lost due to cleaning/ polishing. The guard is a simple ellipse of German silver. It is fitted with smooth antique ivory grip scales with a German silver nameplate on the left and a simple pommel cap of German silver with tangs that extend up to the guard, masking the tang of the blade. It includes a dark leather sheath with German silver fittings, including a fluted tip, and a leather frog. CONDITION: Very good, the blade mostly bright showing extensive polishing/ cleaning, likely the result of extensive use and care by a former owner, faint traces of the maker’s mark, and retaining an extremely sharp edge. The German silver shows an attractive lightly aged patina overall. The grip is also very good with a few age/stress cracks and otherwise scattered light handling marks. A solid representative example of one of the most desirable, early, Sheffield Bowie knife manufacturers! Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000 LOT 182 Desirable S.C. Wragg, Sheffield Etched Blade “General Taylor” Bowie Knife - Manufactured by S.C. Wragg 846-1848. It measures 11 5/8 inches overall with a 7 3/16 inch clip point blade with a long shallow false edge. The left ricasso is marked with S.C. Wragg’s 25 Furnace Hill, Sheffield address. The left of the blade has been etched with a side profile bust of general Zachary Taylor in military uniform with a banner above and below marked “GENERAL” and “TAYLOR” respectively. Bowie knives featuring Taylor were incredibly popular around and shortly after the Mexican-American War, including during his presidential campaign in 1848. Ironically during his campaign Taylor stated that he wished to replace the “bowie knife and revolver” with “law and order” in California. It has an elliptically shaped German silver guard and a plain German silver pommel with antique ivory grip scales. CONDITION: Very good, the blade mostly bright with a scattered speckling of darker grey patina/light surface pitting, some evidence of cleaning, and crisp etching. The German silver shows an attractive lightly aged patina. The grip scales are fine with a minor age crack in the edge of the right panel and otherwise light handling marks. Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 183
Scarce Early Charles Congreve, Sheffield “Celebrated Hunting Knife” with Sheath - Manufactured prior to 1838 by the Charles Congreve firm of Sheffield, Congreve is often pointed to as one of the first manufacturers of English Bowie knives along with the Butcher brothers, Unwin & Rodgers, and Robert Bunting. It measures 11
1/4 inches overall with a 7 inch drop point blade with a false edge
on top. The left of the blade just below the spine is marked “CELEBRATED/HUNTING KNIFE” and the left ricasso is marked “W[crown]R/C. CONGREVE/SHEFFIELD”. The “WR” crown symbol is the royal cypher of William IV, dating the knife to prior to Queen Victoria’s ascension to
the thrown in June of 1837. The German silver guard is elliptical with round finials and an ornate case ferrule at the top of the grip which
is antique ivory carved with flutes and capped with a plain silver pommel. An inventory number, “132”, is painted on the blade opposite
the maker. Includes a black leather sheath with German silver fittings.
CONDITION: Very good, the blade mostly a bright grey patina with some scattered patches of light pitting, a light nick in the edge, and
clear markings. The German silver and silver show an attractive lightly aged patina. The grip, otherwise very good, has a large crack in the
left along with two hairline cracks, and otherwise light handling marks and an attractively aged tone. The sheath is good with moderate
wear and minor dents in the fittings. A rarely encountered, early example from one of the first Sheffield Bowie knife manufacturers!
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500 189
SIMILAR EXAMPLE PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK CLASSIC BOWIE KNIVES BY ABELS
of Sheffield, England c. 1
LOT 180
Documented Slater Brothers Thick Handle Knife with Sheath Pictured in “The Antique Bowie Knife Book”
- Made c. 1860 by Slater Brothers of Sheffield, England,
a firm founded in 1853 by brothers Warrington and Walter Slater. This exact knife and its sheath are pictured and described on p. 278-279 of “The Antique Bowie Knife Book” by Adams, Voyles, and Moss. It measures 13 3/16 inches overall with a 9 1/8 inch drop point blade. The left ricasso is marked with the Slater Bros. beehive trademark and “SLATER/BROTHERS/ SHEFFIELD”. The rare, nearly 7/8 inch thick, hilt is
German silver with a simple elliptical guard, grey and white horn grip scales with a blank German silver initial escutcheon on the left, and a simple oval shaped pommel. Includes a blue leather sheath with gilt floral and border accents and German silver fittings. CONDITION: Very good, the blade mostly a bright grey patina with some scattered patches of darker grey patina and light surface pitting. There are a few light nicks in the edge near the ricasso. The German silver shows an attractive, bright, slightly aged patina. The grip scales are fine with some light handling marks scattered throughout. The sheath is very good with moderate wear.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE ANTIQUE BOWIE KNIFE BOOK BY ADAMS, VOYLES & MOSS