This attractive large Bowie knife is accompanied by a 1989 dated appraisal letter signed by B. D. Hansen, who states, "This Bowie knife was found with a cased caplock snipers rifle which was made by Benjamin Mills of Harodsburg Kentucky. Both knife and rifle were taken from a dead Southern sniper during the Civil War." and further states, "In my opinion this Bowie knife was Southern made, possibly by one of the Voglers from Old Salem North Carolina." In this writer's opinion, the blade appears to be English made although it is not maker marked. This knife with it's scabbard is pictured as a center-fold on pages 32-33 of the May/June 1990 edition of Man At Arms magazine, a copy of which is included with the lot along with letters of correspondence between the consignor and publisher. The overall length is 14 3/4 inches with a 9 1/2 inch blade that is etched on the left with "The american's pride:" and on the right with "Equal rights equal laws/and justice to all!" with both sides of the blade also etched with floral designs. S-shaped iron guard, finely formed hardwood grip, and German silver ends. Includes a Confederate type leather sheath with a German silver throat and a pewter tip, leather frog, a scanned copy of a January/February 1991 edition of Man At Arms article on scabbards, and a modern case.

Exceptionally fine overall, exhibiting mostly bright surfaces on the iron blade, a few scattered patches of light freckling, defined etchings, the attractive grip has some scattered light handling marks with distinct lines and edges, and the German silver shows a lightly aged natural patina. The scabbard and frog are both very fine with an old protective wax coating, and some spots of light flaking at the edges. This exceptional Confederate attributed Bowie knife with its sheath and frog would make an excellent addition to any Civil War era or Bowie knife collection!