The left side of the handle is deeply hand carved "JQAN.Co.B53d M.V.M." This carving is attributed to John Quincy Adams Nutting of Company B of the 53rd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Militia). John Q.A. Nutting, a piano maker, originally enlisted on October 18th, 1862 at 34 years old as a private, and was later mustered out as a sergeant. The quality of the hand carving matches the woodworking skill of a piano maker. The 53rd Massachusetts, active October 17th, 1862 through September 2nd, 1863, saw action primarily at the siege and capture of Port Hudson, Louisiana. This exact knife is pictured on page 140 of the book "The Bowie Knife, Unsheathing an American Legend" by Norm Flayderman, in which the caption states that this knife, without maker markings, was possibly made by Ames or some other New England cutlery firm, and indicates the aforementioned name tied to the carving. A similar fighting knife is pictured on page 170 of "Confederate Bowie Knives" by Melton, Phillips & Sexton, which is attributed as made by an unknown southern factory, with a handful of nearly identical examples known (differing from Flayderman's book). It measures approximately 17 inches overall, and the blade measures 11 5/8 inch long by 1 1/4 inch wide with a 1/4 inch thick spine. Includes a period brown leather sheath. Provenance: The Norm Flayderman Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Fine, with a lightly aged patina on the blade showing some scattered patches of dark colored light pin-prick pitting, the brass guard has an untouched age darkened patina, the handle has scattered light scratches with defined carving and edges. The scabbard is very good with mild age related wear and cracking.