American Bowie knife?

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

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.