American Bowie knife?

not2sharp · 18th March 2026, 04:53 AM

I found this to be interesting. The blade has darken over time and the Brass Handle shows a high level of quality. But, I have not been able to find another like it, and of course no visible marking remain.

My overall impression is that it is a solid well made knife.

Perhaps if someone has seen a similar handle treatment we can begin to narrow down its origins.

N2s

Jim McDougall · Yesterday, 05:59 AM

Interesting indeed! and one of the countless and ubiquitous 'Bowie' knives of the American frontier. While I have been intrigued by this since the posting, Ive been going through as many Bowie references as I can find, but despite the many variations this has been hard to match, mostly the hilt.

The scabbard is of course more recent, but the knife itself seems 19th century, probably 1870s+ and the blade might be older. The scabbard with the brass furniture type tacks are of course a familiar American Indian convention using these to decorate leather items and rifle stocks, and acquired from trade .

I found one Bowie, 1850s, with this style gadrooned hilt, but this one having a steel pommel cap and ferrule, cross guard, suggesting a possible model for the brass one here. These frontier knives were fashioned by it seems artisans from almost every metal work related trade, gunsmiths, blacksmiths in addition to the more notable knife makers.

While the term 'Bowie' for these typically large bladed knives became a cliche for any large frontier or hunting knife, these kinds of knives were already popular in America, and being produced in degree in England in Sheffield shops. It was in the years after Bowies famed 'Sandbar' fight and of course the Alamo that his name became the eponym for these kinds of knofe.

Picture of the example tomorrow.

Jim McDougall · Yesterday, 06:22 PM

At last, finally got this image to take. I found this in "American Primitive Knives 1770-1870", Gordon B. Minnis, 1983,

As noted, it seems the gadrooned grip was something used c.1850 as far as on Bowie's, in this case hardwood.

This gives some idea of the likely inspiration for your example. I have not yet gotten to Flayderman ("The Bowie Knife", 2004) which is of course the most comprehensive reference on these.

Hopefully there are others out there interested in Bowie's.

The size of this thing is remarkable, 12" blade????!!!!
Very 'Crocodile Dundee'.....now THATS a knife

Couldnt resist adding this perspective

not2sharp · Today, 04:57 AM

I have gone through my extensive reference library on Bowie’s and other period knives and the closest match thus far is this early confederate civil war knife (from pg. 201 of R L Wilson’s Steel Canvas).

It still lacks the spiral brass handle treatment and the pictured knife is about 3” longer. I am leaning towards the OP knife being a high quality field knife for wealthy but experienced outdoorsman. It’s a comfortable and solid using knife where the investment has been made in a fine grip rather than other decorative embellishments.

N2s

not2sharp · Today, 05:02 AM

Also, the knife probably had a makers mark once. But, it has been lost to surface corrosion. The panel below, which is a closeup of possible mark extending only 1/2” was perhaps part of a larger more elaborate stamping.

N2s

This is a closeup of the blade show at the bottom of post 1. The mark can be seen about 2-1/2” in front of guard, near the center and parallel with the blade.

18th March 2026, 04:53 AM	#1
not2sharp Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 215	American Bowie knife? I found this to be interesting. The blade has darken over time and the Brass Handle shows a high level of quality. But, I have not been able to find another like it, and of course no visible marking remain. My overall impression is that it is a solid well made knife. Perhaps if someone has seen a similar handle treatment we can begin to narrow down its origins. N2s Attached Images Last edited by not2sharp; 18th March 2026 at 05:57 AM. Reason: Adding photos

Yesterday, 06:22 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,833	At last, finally got this image to take. I found this in "American Primitive Knives 1770-1870", Gordon B. Minnis, 1983, As noted, it seems the gadrooned grip was something used c.1850 as far as on Bowie's, in this case hardwood. This gives some idea of the likely inspiration for your example. I have not yet gotten to Flayderman ("The Bowie Knife", 2004) which is of course the most comprehensive reference on these. Hopefully there are others out there interested in Bowie's. The size of this thing is remarkable, 12" blade????!!!! Very 'Crocodile Dundee'.....now THATS a knife Couldnt resist adding this perspective Attached Images Last edited by Jim McDougall; Yesterday at 06:41 PM.

Today, 04:57 AM	#4
not2sharp Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 215	I have gone through my extensive reference library on Bowie’s and other period knives and the closest match thus far is this early confederate civil war knife (from pg. 201 of R L Wilson’s Steel Canvas). It still lacks the spiral brass handle treatment and the pictured knife is about 3” longer. I am leaning towards the OP knife being a high quality field knife for wealthy but experienced outdoorsman. It’s a comfortable and solid using knife where the investment has been made in a fine grip rather than other decorative embellishments. N2s Attached Images

Today, 05:02 AM	#5
not2sharp Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 215	Also, the knife probably had a makers mark once. But, it has been lost to surface corrosion. The panel below, which is a closeup of possible mark extending only 1/2” was perhaps part of a larger more elaborate stamping. N2s This is a closeup of the blade show at the bottom of post 1. The mark can be seen about 2-1/2” in front of guard, near the center and parallel with the blade. Attached Images Last edited by not2sharp; Today at 05:13 AM. Reason: Adding image

Yesterday, 05:59 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,833	Interesting indeed! and one of the countless and ubiquitous 'Bowie' knives of the American frontier. While I have been intrigued by this since the posting, Ive been going through as many Bowie references as I can find, but despite the many variations this has been hard to match, mostly the hilt. The scabbard is of course more recent, but the knife itself seems 19th century, probably 1870s+ and the blade might be older. The scabbard with the brass furniture type tacks are of course a familiar American Indian convention using these to decorate leather items and rifle stocks, and acquired from trade . I found one Bowie, 1850s, with this style gadrooned hilt, but this one having a steel pommel cap and ferrule, cross guard, suggesting a possible model for the brass one here. These frontier knives were fashioned by it seems artisans from almost every metal work related trade, gunsmiths, blacksmiths in addition to the more notable knife makers. While the term 'Bowie' for these typically large bladed knives became a cliche for any large frontier or hunting knife, these kinds of knives were already popular in America, and being produced in degree in England in Sheffield shops. It was in the years after Bowies famed 'Sandbar' fight and of course the Alamo that his name became the eponym for these kinds of knofe. Picture of the example tomorrow.