EARLY AMERICAN BOWIE KIFE 07-101
This massive but sturdy bowie circa 1840 was known as the "American Toothpick". It features a 10" long by 3" wide clip point blade constructed of polished carbon steel. The wood handle has a brass pommel and curved hand guard and the brown leather sheath has brass fittings. Overall length: 16". Weight: 1.75lbs.
THE BOWIE KNIFE
Bowie knife is a term commonly used in modern times to refer to any large sheath knife. It also applies to a specific style of knife designed by Colonel James "Jim" Bowie and originally created by James Black. The shape and style of blade was chosen so that the Bowie knife could serve usefully as a camp and hunting tool as well as a weapon. Many knives and daggers existed that could serve well as weapons, and many knives existed that could serve well as tools for hunters and trappers, but the Bowie knife was designed to do both jobs well, and is still popular with hunters and sportsmen even in the present day. It is said that for a knife to be considered a Bowie knife, it must be long enough to use as a sword, sharp enough to use as a razor, wide enough to use as a paddle, and heavy enough to use as a hatchet.
The first knife Bowie became famous with was allegedly designed by Jim Bowie's brother Rezin in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, and smithed by blacksmith Jesse Cleft out of an old file. Period court documents indicate that Rezin Bowie and Cleft were well acquainted with one another. Rezin's granddaughter claimed in an 1885 letter to Louisiana State University that she personally witnessed Cleft make the knife for her grandfather. This knife became famous as the knife used by Bowie at the Sandbar Fight, which was the famous 1827 duel between Bowie and several men, including a Major Norris Wright of Alexandria, Louisiana. The fight took place on a sandbar in the Mississippi River across from Natchez, Mississippi. In this battle Bowie was stabbed, shot, and beaten half to death but managed to win the fight. |
