Pictured on page 193 of "The Antique Bowie Knife", this knife is attributed as the personal property of one of the authors, Bill Adams. In a sharp reversal from the usual situation with antique weapons, we have no hard data on the manufacturer but a solid bead on the user; one Samuel G. Boone. A resident of Reading, Pennsylvania, Boone first answered the call of service on a short 3-month hitch with the Reading Artillerists, a local militia unit. Ending his term as a Sergeant, he put in with the 88th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. The 88th saw a notable amount of action, participating in Cedar Mountain, 2nd Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, the Siege of Petersburg, Five Forks, and finally Appomattox Court House. While on campaign with the 88th, Boone would earn a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. On July 1st, 1863 Boone was with the unit at Gettysburg; while they performed well in the face of the enemy, capturing multiple Confederate standards, heavy pressure and short ammunition forced them to fall back through the town and re-establish themselves on Cemetery Ridge, and in the process Boone was captured. He was bounced around the Confederate military prison system, spending time in the infamous Libby Prison and others before settling in Columbia, South Carolina, from which he would escape on February 17th 1865. While his exact course is unknown, records show he successfully crossed the lines and reached Washington, D.C. on March 19th. His post-war activities are unknown; the most probable course, like so many Union volunteers, was to hang up his uniform and go home. The dagger is of sturdy design, 13 7/8 inches long, with an 8 7/8 inch double edged spear point blade, marked with a "DCL" trademark on one side of the ricasso and "WILSON SWIF/BROAD St/SHEFFIEL" on the opposite. The tang is nearly the full width and thickness of the ricasso, shaped in a "coffin" profile and fitted with a set of grip panels which include a "fleur-de-lis" shaped German silver guard, smooth brown horn scales with an unmarked German silver panel on one side, and an "eagle devouring snake" motif on either side of the pommel. The sheath has a fine brown leather veneer with embossed gilt decoration and a set of German silver furniture.

Fine. Some patches of spotting/pitting are present on either side of the blade, with gentle attempts made to clean them up, as well as some light sharpening and handling marks. This cleaning was professionally executed, and does not disrupt the geometry of the blade. The grip panels show a few light dents and scuffs. The sheath has an old dent in the tip and is missing its frog stud, along with a few other light handling marks. A fine demonstration of the Sheffield blade arts, balancing durability and aesthetics, with a very interesting history.