Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout us
Log InCreate Account
Rock Island Auction CompanyRock Island Auction Company
Contact us
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
Locations
Bedford, TX
3600 Harwood RoadBedford, Texas 76021, USA
Rock Island, IL
7819 42nd Street WestRock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
Hours
Monday - Friday8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Navigation
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout usAccount
More Info
Terms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyJob postings & CareersOrder a catalogContact
Social media
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
Disconnected
Unable to connect to live update server, attempting reconnection. If this persists, please try refreshing your browser.
Disconnected state indicated by at top of page. If you cannot see this icon, you are connected.
Rock Island Auction Company
Hello.
Please Log In, or .

Home
Auctions
Consignment
Latest
FAQ
About us

  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 255

Lot 255:S.C. Wragg 'General Taylor for President' Etched Bowie Knife

June 5th, 2020|Rock Island, IL
  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 255

Lot 255:S.C. Wragg 'General Taylor for President' Etched Bowie Knife

June 5th, 2020|Rock Island, IL
Price Realized:
Login to viewLogin to view
Price obfuscated
Estimated Price$9,500 - $16,000
Log In to use Wishlists
Share

Rare S.C. Wragg Sheffield "General Taylor for President" Etched Bowie Knife with Sheath

Manufactured by S.C. Wragg of Sheffield, England c. 1848. Overall length is 14 3/8 inches with a 9 15/16 inch clip point blade. The blade is elaborately etched on the left side with a panel centrally featuring a banner marked "GENERAL TAYLOR FOR PRESIDENT" backed by floral motifs and the left ricasso is marked "S.C. WRAGG/25/FURNACE HILL/SHEFFIELD". The message on the blade is almost certainly in reference to the 1848 presidential election which Mexican-American War hero General Zachary Taylor went on to win. Ironically during his campaign Taylor stated that he wished to replace the "bowie knife and revolver" with "law and order" in California. A very similar Wragg knife for a different political campaign is pictured on p. 469 of "The Antique Bowie Knife Book" by Adams, Voyles, and Moss. The guard is thin elliptically shaped German silver and the German silver grip has horn grip scales and a lion and floral designs on each side of the hilt. Includes a lightly tooled leather sheath with German silver fittings.

ConditionFine, the blade is mostly bright with some scattered patches of darker grey patina, evidence of mild cleaning/sharpening, and crisp etching and markings. The grip and guard are very good with a few light handling marks and generally an attractive aged patina. The blade to grip fit is slightly loose. The sheath is fine with some moderate wear and missing button.
Details
TypeOther
ClassOther

Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views2794
Catalog page158
Find MoreRelated Items
Lot 3086Sheffield Bowie Knife with "Old Zach" Decoration and Sheath
View Lot
Lot 185Documented James Rodgers Sheffield Bowie Knife with Sheath
View Lot
Lot 3557Randall Model 3 Hunter Knife with Sheath
View Lot
Lot 1495Randall Model 12 Raymond Thorpe Bowie Knife with Sheath
View Lot
Show More