UNIQUE CONFEDERATE SIDE KNIFE, POSSIBLY MADE BY BOYLE & GAMBLE, RICHMOND VA.

UNIQUE CONFEDERATE SIDE KNIFE, POSSIBLY MADE BY BOYLE & GAMBLE, RICHMOND VA. Regardless of who made this knife, it is well made by a master cutler who had great skills not only in making the knife, but in making the scabbard and mounts. This knife overall measures just over 13-1/2″ with a 9-1/2″ clip-point blade which is about 1/4″ thick and 7/8″ wide at ricasso. The blade stock used to make this knife on first appearance might appear to be a cut down sword blade, but it appears the blade stock used was to make this knife as etched panels fit this blade symmetrically and fullering matches blade length terminating in a central spine to tip. The etched panels are very similar in style to Richmond made swords including Burger and Boyle & Gamble. The blade also shows a braise which has been published in several texts on Boyle & Gamble as a fault and this is a prevalent feature on officers swords made by Boyle & Gamble. This fault is actually the area where an iron tang is braised or welded to the steel blade. These two areas oxidize differently and sometimes show a tiny “fault line” which is present here, though barely discernible. A 2-1/4″ iron cross guard has a very slight “S” shape to it, with one quillon turned up and one turned down. This cross guard is very well machined lending to the idea that this was made at an armory or factory such as Boyle & Gamble or Burger & Brother. The scabbard is top sewn and glued which is also a feature of Boyle & Gamble. The brass mounts on scabbard have a single incised line and are brass pinned for attachment, which are also Boyle & Gamble features. Frog buttons on Boyle & Gamble products are typically spade shaped, whereas this one is round, but frog button appears to be replaced. Grips are brass pinned, cut bone slabs, which are fairly well fit, there is a gap between cross guard and slab on one side, which is the only feature of poor craftsmanship noted on this knife. Bone is a rare material used on confederate knives, however, there are other specimens known. There is a name scratched on back side of throat which reads “A. BABCOCK/43 B”. Alexander G. Babcock was 1st Sgt in charge of Col. John Mosby’s 43rd Battalion artillery on Little Cobbler Mtn near Piedmont, VA. During a 10-14-64 skirmish, Babcock was captured and was forced to ride in a boxcar for a month behind the engines of trains running daily from Alexandria to Rectortown. This in an attempt to protect the supply line from the attacks Mosby’s Raiders. Babcock was given the name “Big Gorilla” while in the stockade in Alexandria, likely for his physical and behavioral tendencies. It is our opinion this knife is orig and authentic and most likely a Richmond Virginia made product by either Boyle & Gamble or Burger. PROVENANCE: Donald Tharpe Collection. CONDITION: Overall knife is very good, blade is gray with scattered areas of staining and light pitting. Grips and cross guard are very good. There is small gaps between bone and tang with remnants of an old filler, probably from time of manufacturer. It does not appear to be a modern material such as epoxy. Scabbard fits knife well, though slightly shrunk from age such that there is about a 1/16″ gap. Leather scabbard body has come loose at most of its sewn edge. Leather body is solid with numerous cracks and abrasions and has been “re-blacked” at some point. Brass mounts have been cleaned, have good yellow patina with scattered scratches, nicks & dings. Frog button has more modern appearing file marks on stud where it is attached to throat. 4-44159 JS179 (6,000-8,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2011

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2172	$6,900.00	UNIQUE CONFEDERATE SIDE KNIFE, POSSIBLY MADE BY BOYLE & GAMBLE, RICHMOND VA. Regardless of who made this knife, it is well made by a master cutler who had great skills not only in making the knife, but in making the scabbard and mounts. This knife overall measures just over 13-1/2″ with a 9-1/2″ clip-point blade which is about 1/4″ thick and 7/8″ wide at ricasso. The blade stock used to make this knife on first appearance might appear to be a cut down sword blade, but it appears the blade stock used was to make this knife as etched panels fit this blade symmetrically and fullering matches blade length terminating in a central spine to tip. The etched panels are very similar in style to Richmond made swords including Burger and Boyle & Gamble. The blade also shows a braise which has been published in several texts on Boyle & Gamble as a fault and this is a prevalent feature on officers swords made by Boyle & Gamble. This fault is actually the area where an iron tang is braised or welded to the steel blade. These two areas oxidize differently and sometimes show a tiny “fault line” which is present here, though barely discernible. A 2-1/4″ iron cross guard has a very slight “S” shape to it, with one quillon turned up and one turned down. This cross guard is very well machined lending to the idea that this was made at an armory or factory such as Boyle & Gamble or Burger & Brother. The scabbard is top sewn and glued which is also a feature of Boyle & Gamble. The brass mounts on scabbard have a single incised line and are brass pinned for attachment, which are also Boyle & Gamble features. Frog buttons on Boyle & Gamble products are typically spade shaped, whereas this one is round, but frog button appears to be replaced. Grips are brass pinned, cut bone slabs, which are fairly well fit, there is a gap between cross guard and slab on one side, which is the only feature of poor craftsmanship noted on this knife. Bone is a rare material used on confederate knives, however, there are other specimens known. There is a name scratched on back side of throat which reads “A. BABCOCK/43 B”. Alexander G. Babcock was 1st Sgt in charge of Col. John Mosby’s 43rd Battalion artillery on Little Cobbler Mtn near Piedmont, VA. During a 10-14-64 skirmish, Babcock was captured and was forced to ride in a boxcar for a month behind the engines of trains running daily from Alexandria to Rectortown. This in an attempt to protect the supply line from the attacks Mosby’s Raiders. Babcock was given the name “Big Gorilla” while in the stockade in Alexandria, likely for his physical and behavioral tendencies. It is our opinion this knife is orig and authentic and most likely a Richmond Virginia made product by either Boyle & Gamble or Burger. PROVENANCE: Donald Tharpe Collection. CONDITION: Overall knife is very good, blade is gray with scattered areas of staining and light pitting. Grips and cross guard are very good. There is small gaps between bone and tang with remnants of an old filler, probably from time of manufacturer. It does not appear to be a modern material such as epoxy. Scabbard fits knife well, though slightly shrunk from age such that there is about a 1/16″ gap. Leather scabbard body has come loose at most of its sewn edge. Leather body is solid with numerous cracks and abrasions and has been “re-blacked” at some point. Brass mounts have been cleaned, have good yellow patina with scattered scratches, nicks & dings. Frog button has more modern appearing file marks on stud where it is attached to throat. 4-44159 JS179 (6,000-8,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2011 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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