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SIMILAR KNIVES PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOKS THE ANTIQUE BOWIE KNIFE BOOK BY ADAMS, VOYLES AND MOSS AND
THE BOWIE KNIFE BY FLAYDERMAN
LOT 265
Rare Documented Tillotson Sheffield
Patriotic “Gold Hunters Knife” Etched
Bowie Knife with Pearl Grips and Sheath
- Manufactured by Tillotson of Sheffield,
England c. 1850s. The overall length is 14 7/8
inches with a 10 7/8 inch clip point blade
that is etched on the left with “Gold Hunters
Knife/E.PLURIBUS UNUM/PALO ALTO” along with a patriotic eagle, stand of arms, and floral motifs. The knife is an obvious attempt by a Sheffield knife maker to dip into a larger portion of the American market, targeting both gold hunters and Mexican-American War veterans. The grip has pearl scales, recurved German silver guard, and the German silver hilt featuring a high relief reclining lion. Includes a lightly tooled leather sheath with German silver fittings. Similar knives are pictured on p. 233 of “The Antique Bowie Knife Book” by Adams, Voyles, and Moss and on p. 102 of “The Bowie Knife: Unsheathing an American Legend” by Flayderman.
CONDITION: Very fine, the exceptional original blade is mostly bright with some surface blemishes, and mostly well-defined etching. The grip is also very fine generally showing an attractive antiqued patina and some light handling marks on the grip scales. The sheath is fine with some moderate wear and period resoldered button.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
Attractive and Exceptional Civil War Era George Beardshaw Sheffield Bowie Knife with Unique Warrior Chasing Buffalo Etched Blade and Buffalo Horn Grip - Bowie knife manufactured circa 1850-1865 by George Beardshaw of Sheffield, England. Measures 15 inches overall (16 with sheath attached) with a 9 3/8 inch long blade. “V(crown)R/G. BEARDSHAW/CAST STEEL” marked on the left ricasso. The main blade bevel contains an attractive etched panel scene of a warrior carrying a lance on horseback chasing buffalo in a grass field. German silver hilt, buffalo horn grip, and German silver shell pommel. Sheffield-made knives were popular with the blade- hungry American market. Includes a red leather sheath with German silver ends (absent frog), and consignor research. CONDITION: Fine, attractive bright original surfaces on the exceptionally fine blade with some scattered patches of dark pitting. Grip is very fine with some light scratches. German silver surfaces retain an attractive bright color with only light darkening in the grooves of the clamshell. leather sheath is fine with some light aging, and absent frog as noted above. This is an attractive Beardshaw Bowie knife that would make an fine addition to any early knife collection! Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 266
197