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LOT 1218
Very Desirable Wragg
& Sons, Sheffield “Self Defender” Deep Etched Blade Bowie Knife with Sheath -
Manufactured by Wragg & Son of Sheffield, England c. 1845-1850. A
very similar style
knife by Wragg
& Sons is pictured and
described on p. 468-469 of “The Antique Bowie
Knife Book” by Adams,
Voyles, and Moss.
It measures 13
1/2 inches overall
with a 9 1/16 inch clip point
blade with a somewhat shallow false edge. The blade is elaborately
deeply etched on the left side with floral scroll and a central panel
marked “SELF DEFENDER”. The left ricasso is marked “WRAGG&SONS/38/
FURNACE. HILL/SHEFFIELD”. The guard is thin elliptically shaped German
silver, antique ivory grip scales on the German silver encased coffin-
shaped hilt, and a reclining lion and floral designs on each side of the
pommel which is cast German silver. Includes a gilt accented, lightly
tooled red leather sheath with German silver fittings.
CONDITION: Fine overall, the blade mostly a bright grey patina with some
scattered patches of light pitting, some minor nicks in the lower portion of
the edge, and mostly crisp etching. The German silver shows an attractively
aged patina overall with a minor dent/deformation in the right of the
pommel. The grip scales show an attractively aged tone and a hairline
crack in the left panel. The sheath is also fine with mild wear and a discreet glue repair on the spine towards the tip. A very attractive Wragg & Sons knife with an extensively etched blade!
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 1219
Desirable Civil War Era Edward Barnes & Sons, Sheffield Patriot Etched Blade
“The Americans
Choice” Bowie Knife with Sheath
- The Edward Barnes
& Sons firm were in
operation in Sheffield,
England from around
1833 to 1888. They were known as a large manufacturer of
bowie knives, especially for the American market during the
Civil War, many of which bore designs and slogans to encourage (or take advantage of ) American patriotism. This example is 12 3/8 inches long overall with a 7 1/4 inch clip point blade with a shallow false edge. The left side of the blade is nearly entirely covered with an acid etched panel that prominently features an American eagle, “THE AMERICANS CHOICE”, and “MANUFACTURED/BY/EDWARDS BARNES/& SONS/SHEFFIELD”. The left ricasso is marked “U[star]S”. It is fitted with a plain elliptical German silver guard and an ornately cast silver plated ferrule at the top of the original grip which is a molded synthetic material. Includes a brown leather sheath with gold “U[star]S” and border, and German silver fittings.
CONDITION: Very fine, the blade mostly bright with a few scattered patches of light pitting and crisp etched panel. The German silver and silver show an attractive lightly aged patina. The grip is fine with a hairline age crack, minor chip on the pommel, and otherwise light handling marks. The sheath is fine with some mild wear and a short seam split on the spine edge.
178 Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 1220
Attractive John Lingard, Sheffield Etched Blade “American Hunting Knife” with Rare Velvet Wrapped Sheath - Manufactured c. 1830s to 1850s by John Lingard of Sheffield, England. Lingard was one of many
small time knife makers in Sheffield, with his business being run out of his residence, before larger factory manufacturing began to take over in the 1850s. In 1852 this address was registered as 83 Pea Croft, where he was also listed as the keeper of The Star Pub, a side business also run out of his residence that ensured income even if the knife trade went cold. This example measures 12 1/2 inches overall 7 9/16 inch clip point blade that is beautifully acid etched on the left side with a large American eagle, as well as the phrase “AMERICAN HUNTING KNIFE”. The left ricasso is marked “LINGARD/SHEFFIELD”. It’s fitted with a simple elliptical German silver guard, tan and brown horn grip scales with a blank German silver escutcheon on the left, and a German silver pommel cast with floral and crown motifs. Includes a rare and desirable, royal blue velvet wrapped sheath with German
silver fittings.
CONDITION: Fine, the blade mostly bright with some scattered darker spotting and patches of light surface pitting, and the etching mostly well-defined. The German silver shows an attractive lightly aged patina. The grip scales are very good with a few minor natural imperfections on the edges, some light dings on the escutcheon, and otherwise light handling marks. The unique sheath is fine with some mild wear and a few scattered
minor stains.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 1221
Attractive “BB” Marked Long Spear Point Knife with Unique Eagle/Snake
Pommel, Lion
Guard, and Gilt Accented Sheath - Almost certainly manufactured by one
of the legendary Sheffield knife makers around the mid-1800s, this knife shows many desirable features from
the period. It measures 15 inches overall with a 10 1/8 inch spear point blade. There are a couple small visible cracks/flaws in the ricasso area that appear to have been repaired/stabilized long ago. Both sides of the ricasso are marked “BB”, which the writer believes to be the markings of a local blacksmith/bladesmith who performed
a repair in the area of the guard/ricassos. The guard is German silver and features a cast lion’s head on each side. The grip scales are smooth pearl and the pommel is German silver and features a cast spread wing patriotic Federal pattern eagle with snake on both sides. Includes a black leather sheath with gilt accents and German silver fittings.
CONDITION: Fine, the blade mostly a bright grey patina with a few scattered patches of light pitting, a few areas of slightly uneven grind (likely from during the time of the repair), and a couple small stabilized hairline cracks visible on the ricasso. The German silver shows an attractively aged patina and the grip scales are very fine with minimal handling evidence. The sheath is also fine with a moderate crease/tear in towards the center, which may be evidence pointing to the need for repair of the knife.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
SIMILAR EXAMPLE PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE ANTIQUE BOWIE KNIFE BOOK BY ADAMS, VOYLES & MOSS