Produced by an unidentified cutler, this is an exceptionally fine example of the signature "gambler's knife" of the American frontier and riverboat days. Far more compact than a typical bowie knife, the push dagger or gimlet knife could be concealed any number of places on the person, rapidly deployed in a close-in fight, and used to deadly effect with a relative minimum of practice and preparation. All of these virtues were of appeal to the career "sporting men" of the 19th century, who might find a polite game turning into a deadly quarrel with near zero warning. This particular knife is featured on page 46, plate #80, of "Classic Bowie Knives" by Robert Abels, where is it attributed as c.1850s production. Overall length is 6 inches, with a 4 inch double edged spear point blade. One side is marked "80" in translucent paint (possibly lacquer or enamel based), to match the plate numbering from Abels' book. The hilt is a single piece of 3 inch long dark rosewood, with smoothly rounded ends and a light concave profile to the face. The sheath has a brown leather veneer with gilt embossing, a German silver tip with an iron point, and a second "80" mark on one side (this mark reportedly by Abels).

Extremely fine. The excellent original polish blade shows some light handling marks and a few small dark spots, while the hilt shows some minor pressure dents. The sheath is very fine, with some light rubbing.