Antique Bowie Collection

[hso]

A a group of us had dinner with a buddy that is one of the few legitimate Bowie knife historical experts in the country (I say "legitimate" because he's not trying to promote the mythology or promote state or local history and is a dedicated student of these knives and is a recognized published authority sought out by museums and collectors). This is part of his collection that he opened the cases to so we could handle these pieces of history.

 

[bannockburn]

hso

Wow! That's an awesome antique Bowie knife collection! Thanks to you and your friend for sharing these amazing pieces of historical edged weaponry.

 

[Armored farmer]

A very interesting collection.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Nice Collection of Bowie 's!

 

[WestKentucky]

Is there a general consensus of what the historic handle shapes were? I really really really like the look of antique clip point Bowie’s with coffin handles. Really like them. Some truly nice ones in those photos.

 

[RPZ]

Wow. Interesting pieces! And if only they could talk!

 

[hso]

Is there a general consensus of what the historic handle shapes were?

There are 3 in the middle of one group that are the most likely, but no one can know what the knife Bowie carried at the Sandbar Fight or what he had at the Alamo. What is known is that he had several made over the years as "gifts" and that they didn't adhere to a single pattern.

 

[WestKentucky]

There are 3 in the middle of one group that are the most likely, but no one can know what the knife Bowie carried at the Sandbar Fight or what he had at the Alamo. What is known is that he had several made over the years as "gifts" and that they didn't adhere to a single pattern.

Right, and I guess as wide as the description for a Bowie goes then pretty much anything goes. It’s kinda sad to lump so many similar knives into one huge classification.

 

[kBob]

Thanks for posting these pics. I think I may have seen some of these knives in various publications over the years. All are neat each in their own way. I rather like some of the small dirk or double edges myself....imagining them tucked away on some well dressed gentleman in the pre revolver days as every day carry.

-kBob
(on my new desk top as not even the best knife can protect you from the Blue Screen Of Death)

 

[hso]

anything goes

Not really. There are historic parameters, but the large Western/Case bowie are 20th century creations that are overblown inspirations. The 19thC Sheffield styles are closer. The "A Shure Defense" book is the best historical reference and entertaining.

 

[Slamfire]

Wow! what a collection!

Is that a Gravely and Wrecks in one of those pictures? The Gravely and Wrecks is one of the earliest identifiable Bowie patterns.



I could not afford an original, (the pictured knife sold for $27,000 in 2012) but Bark River made a replica:



How many, in the same picture, are Michael Price or Will and Fink San Francisco knives? The handles sure look like the pictures in the books.

 

[dh1633pm]

HSO, thanks for your knife posts. I read them all. Those were some really historical knives. Thanks for sharing.

 

[hso]

Is that a Gravely and Wrecks in one of those picture

Yep

Several Bells as well as others

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I'm not really a knife guy, but I am an American history guy.
And that is a very cool collection.

 

[JShirley]

My favorite is still that Kim Breed you have.

Spyderco will have two very interesting ones out this year.

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

Amazing! Those knives look like they can serve at the Alamo even today!