Can you tell me if this is a CW period knife?

[OneFatCat]

I have been looking at this Bowie and would like to know from the experts if they think it is a civil war period knife. I have not bought it but I am considering it ....

Thank you
OFC

[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

[Bill DeShivs]

Yes, I can tell you, but you won't listen.

[OneFatCat]

Originally Posted by Bill DeShivs

Yes, I can tell you, but you won't listen.

LOL Bill thats not true ....hell I aint bought it yet and Im asking BEFORE I buy so I must be listening and learning SOMETHING

OFC

[Bill DeShivs]

No, it's not.
Bowie blades are not shaped that way, nor is the edge ground that way. It's modern. Look at the uniform aging of the blade.

[stede]

OFC, Bill is the expert concerning blade shape and grind- I dunno those things. But I concur with him on this- someone has attempted to give this blade an artificial patina that is completely wrong. I have bayonets in my collection that are 200+ years old and I've never seen that kind of uniform mottled ageing of the steel.
That doesn't mean in can't be, of course- it could be the steel was coarsely made in a small foundry, which over the years could attain a distinctive pattern like that- but in 40 years of collecting old edged metal I've never seen anything looked like that.
I also don't like the pins holding the grips scales- although now I'm getting away from any 'expertise' I might have. But they look mighty crude for what would otherwise be a very expensive purchase if period...
My .02 of a dollar!
Happy Easter to all...

[OneFatCat]

Thank you Bill and Stede ...I intend on taking Bills advise this time ..

OFC

[woolleyworm]

Originally Posted by stede

OFC, Bill is the expert concerning blade shape and grind- I dunno those things. But I concur with him on this- someone has attempted to give this blade an artificial patina that is completely wrong. I have bayonets in my collection that are 200+ years old and I've never seen that kind of uniform mottled ageing of the steel.
That doesn't mean in can't be, of course- it could be the steel was coarsely made in a small foundry, which over the years could attain a distinctive pattern like that- but in 40 years of collecting old edged metal I've never seen anything looked like that.
I also don't like the pins holding the grips scales- although now I'm getting away from any 'expertise' I might have. But they look mighty crude for what would otherwise be a very expensive purchase if period...
My .02 of a dollar!
Happy Easter to all...

The pins being offset from each other would cause me alot of worry. Sure sign for one of two things : very poor quality craftsmanship or a fake. Either one isn't going to be worth much in my book. Pins themselves are correct for period; but any knife maker worth a darn would have aligned the pins and had them parallel to the bolster. Even if this knife were real, I wouldn't consider it a highly collectible piece.

Hope that helps you OFC. I was always taught to look at the craftsmanship and question the quality of work first. If it passes that test, then you may have something worth buying.

[Bill DeShivs]

Wooleyworm is correct.
Crude does not mean old. Generally, it means the opposite.

[OneFatCat]

Well Bill how about letting me know if you come up on a CW period Bowie that is for sale?

OFC

[Bill DeShivs]

I don't often see them, as that's not what I collect. But, if i run across one, I'll let you know.

[permafrost]

Originally Posted by Bill DeShivs

Yes, I can tell you, but you won't listen.

Cost of question....nothing
Answer ......PRICELESS!!!!
ROFL!

[OneFatCat]

Some Okie humor

OFC