RARE CONFEDERATE “T.L. PRUETT, PRATTVILLE ALABAMA” D-GUARD BOWIE KNIFE.

SN NSN. This is a rare example of a maker marked Confederate D-guard bowie knife that is accurately described in Confederate Bowie Knives by Melton, Phillips & Sexton: “T.L Pruett produced what are now the most well known of all Southern-identified blacksmith-made knives. An expert craftsman by any standard, his heavy classically Confederate D-guard knives were well made in fit and finish. The 1860 Autauga County, Alabama, census lists him as a ‘blacksmith’ in the town of Pratteville. Like many other skilled craftsman, Pruett put his expertise to work for the war effort. The Bowie knives that he made for the local Autuaga Guards were described in this note, which ran in the Richmond Dispatch of September 18, 1861: ‘A formidable weapon: We were shown yesterday a knife, manufactured by Mr. Pruett, of Prattville which is the most formidable looking weapon in the shape of a knife we have seen yet. The Arkansas toothpick is left completely in the shade. The blade of the new one we saw was nineteen inches in length, and weighed two and one half pounds. It seemed to be of good steel, and appeared powerful enough to divide a Yankee completely. Mr. P. had just furnished one hundred of these knives to Capt. Faulkner’s company of Autauga, will be ready to supply as many more as may be needed–Montgomery Advertiser’. Carried from the Montgomery Advertiser, the blade length was exaggerated, as most Pruett knives have closer to a 17-inch blade…All Pruett knives are distinct and nearly identical with at least ten examples extant. Large, sturdy and heavy, the 17-inch single-edged blade has a 3-inch sharpened false-edge to form a spear point. Two wrought iron seamed ferrules border and oval hardwood grip. The wrought iron guard is thick and heavy with a spoon-shaped quillon. The tang is peened at the rear and finished flat. Each guard is marked along the outside, ‘T.L. Pruett. Maker. Prattville Ala.’ using single letter dies. Pruett knives are among the only three or four legitimately marked Confederate knives using single letter stamps.” PROVENANCE: Greene Museum of Southern History. CONDITION: Very good overall and “as found”. 16-13/16″ blade shows old sharpening over most of its length but is still a full 1-3/4″ at ricasso and .3″ thick. Markings on guard are all discernible but worn as can be seen in photos. Iron overall has dark brown patina with pitting especially near tip of blade and on ferrules which measure about 7/8″ each. Oak grip has several longitudinal hairline cracks and is slightly loose with the expected scratches, dings and other blemishes expected after 150 years. 4-54268 JS215 (6,000-9,000) – Lot 3281

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Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014

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
	3281	$9,200.00	RARE CONFEDERATE “T.L. PRUETT, PRATTVILLE ALABAMA” D-GUARD BOWIE KNIFE. SN NSN. This is a rare example of a maker marked Confederate D-guard bowie knife that is accurately described in Confederate Bowie Knives by Melton, Phillips & Sexton: “T.L Pruett produced what are now the most well known of all Southern-identified blacksmith-made knives. An expert craftsman by any standard, his heavy classically Confederate D-guard knives were well made in fit and finish. The 1860 Autauga County, Alabama, census lists him as a ‘blacksmith’ in the town of Pratteville. Like many other skilled craftsman, Pruett put his expertise to work for the war effort. The Bowie knives that he made for the local Autuaga Guards were described in this note, which ran in the Richmond Dispatch of September 18, 1861: ‘A formidable weapon: We were shown yesterday a knife, manufactured by Mr. Pruett, of Prattville which is the most formidable looking weapon in the shape of a knife we have seen yet. The Arkansas toothpick is left completely in the shade. The blade of the new one we saw was nineteen inches in length, and weighed two and one half pounds. It seemed to be of good steel, and appeared powerful enough to divide a Yankee completely. Mr. P. had just furnished one hundred of these knives to Capt. Faulkner’s company of Autauga, will be ready to supply as many more as may be needed–Montgomery Advertiser’. Carried from the Montgomery Advertiser, the blade length was exaggerated, as most Pruett knives have closer to a 17-inch blade…All Pruett knives are distinct and nearly identical with at least ten examples extant. Large, sturdy and heavy, the 17-inch single-edged blade has a 3-inch sharpened false-edge to form a spear point. Two wrought iron seamed ferrules border and oval hardwood grip. The wrought iron guard is thick and heavy with a spoon-shaped quillon. The tang is peened at the rear and finished flat. Each guard is marked along the outside, ‘T.L. Pruett. Maker. Prattville Ala.’ using single letter dies. Pruett knives are among the only three or four legitimately marked Confederate knives using single letter stamps.” PROVENANCE: Greene Museum of Southern History. CONDITION: Very good overall and “as found”. 16-13/16″ blade shows old sharpening over most of its length but is still a full 1-3/4″ at ricasso and .3″ thick. Markings on guard are all discernible but worn as can be seen in photos. Iron overall has dark brown patina with pitting especially near tip of blade and on ferrules which measure about 7/8″ each. Oak grip has several longitudinal hairline cracks and is slightly loose with the expected scratches, dings and other blemishes expected after 150 years. 4-54268 JS215 (6,000-9,000) – Lot 3281 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014 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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RARE CONFEDERATE “T.L. PRUETT, PRATTVILLE ALABAMA” D-GUARD BOWIE KNIFE.