Info on Large Bowie

[Gun Master]

At a gun show, over 40 years ago, I bought a large Bowie knife. It had no sheath and it was said to have been rescued from a burning or burned house. There was no observable fire damage. This was at least a few years old and had been used somewhat.

The knife is approx. 15" long (5" handle; 10" blade). Widest part of blade is 1 3/4", and hand guard (brass) is 3 1/4". Handle appears to be genuine stag horn. Right side of blade near the hilt shows "Soligen" (obviously Soligen steel) above "447". Left side of blade "C. CO" above "Germany". The "G" appears to have been partially buffed off, and there may have been another letter before the first "C". Also the "O" in "CO" is distorted and may be another letter or symbol. The blade has the appearance of stainless steel, except it has become slightly tarnished. The blade is very sharp, both on the edge and the tip.

I have two requests:
1. Can anyone identify the brand, model, etc. of the knife, and
2. What can I use to restore the blade to its original bright color, without damaging the metal?

I can't do pics. Wish I could.
Thanks.

 

[rcmodel]

Something like this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1950-60s-Ge...d97abd&pid=100011&rk=2&rkt=10&sd=301611324855

Try cleaning & polishing the blade with Semechrome metal polish on a cloth.

rc

 

[JShirley]

I used to have one of those...

 

[hso]

http://www.rubylane.com/item/715248-1119/Vintage-German-Bowie-knife-G-C

 

[Gordon]

I had one too and they are a decent "bowie" I would have a leather sheath made, the original one was very cheesy and broke very easily

 

[Gun Master]

Exactly, except no "BOWIE" on the blade (and other previously written info on the blade), and the brass hand guard is straight, not bent on the ends.

Once again, you've hit the nail on the head!

Thanks, rc.

 

[Gun Master]

German Bowie

Wow! You guys are all over this one! Thanks!

 

[JShirley]

$300? I think I sold mine for $20...

 

[hso]

$300 is a silly asking price even with the sheath.

 

[Gun Master]

Addendum to Large Bowie

At the same gun show in posting # 1, I also bought 4 kitchen knives from the same ones I got the Bowie from. These guys seemed to be "good old country boys" (no offense: I'm a "city slicker" technically, but a "country boy" at heart).
1. A butcher knife 12" long, with "Old Hickory" on the left side of the wood handle held by two brass studs. The left side of the blade has "Tru-Edge" above a scimitar & on that blade "Ontario Knife Co.", & below that "-MADE IN U.S.A.-".
2. A paring knife 7 1/2" long, wood handle with two brass studs, and same markings on the handle and blade as above.
3. A 10 1/2" boning knife, wood handle with 3 brass studs. On the left side of the blade, "CASE XX", and beneath is "417-6". No markings on the wood.
4. A 7" paring knife, wood handle and 2 brass studs, with no observable markings, but appear to be constructed like the Old Hickory or Case knives.

They look like they may be 75 or more years old. Any info on these?

BTW, you may be asking if I bought any guns (not just knives) at the show. I did purchase an AR-7 .22 rifle and a 1941 Tokarev TT-33 with missing parts which I repaired and they both shoot great.

 

[rcmodel]

Old Hickory is still in business, and still makes perfectly serviceable kitchen knives.
http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/OH7180/Old-Hickory-5-Piece-Cutlery-Set

I doubt they are anything special, or collectable.

I have a kitchen junk drawer full of them I got from my mother when she died.

Case XX is a little higher quality, but the kitchen knives are still not very collectable, as they have made millions of them over the years, and still do.

http://www.wrcase.com/knives/view_all/household-cutlery/

rc

 

[Gun Master]

Many thanks again, rc.