RARE LARGE SHEFFIELD FOLDING BOWIE WITH HALF HORSE-HALF ALLIGATOR POMMELS.

This massive folder measures 12-1/4″ open with 5-1/2″ clip point blade with London agent mark on ricasso “W.F. MILLS / 120 HOLBORN / LONDON”. Knife is German silver mounted with 2-1/2″ pommels depicting half-horse half-alligator which is purely American device from American Frontier folklore. Norm Flayderman in his monumental text The Bowie Knife: Unsheathing an American Legend p. 434: “I AM HALF-HORSE AND HALF-ALLIGATOR AND CAN WHIP ANY MAN ON THE MISSISSIPPI BY GOD! That graphic, swaggering boast and analogy in early American literature to characterize Mississippi River boatmen, frontiersman and Kentuckians.” From Davy Crockett’s almanac published in 1835 provided the major impetus for the adoption of half-horse, half-alligator symbol on Sheffield Bowie knives. This knife also has an inset “Latin” cross we have not noted before on an early Sheffield knife made for the American market. Regardless, this knife is unique overall and you will not find another like it. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall. Blade shows old sharpening, is grey overall with staining and light pitting. Markers mark is crisp and easily discerned. Stylized German silver cross guard has several shallow dents and scratches. Reverse pommel has one 1/2″ dent behind raised relief motif with scattered minor bruising and wear to high areas. Mechanically, knife is functional and lock holds firm and solid. There is about 1/2″ x 1/4″ chip of reverse wood grip at top toe where an iron pin has been re-peened at pivot of lock. 50412-59 JS (20,000-30,000) – Lot 4411

Auction: Firearms - October 2016

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
	4411	$0.00	RARE LARGE SHEFFIELD FOLDING BOWIE WITH HALF HORSE-HALF ALLIGATOR POMMELS. This massive folder measures 12-1/4″ open with 5-1/2″ clip point blade with London agent mark on ricasso “W.F. MILLS / 120 HOLBORN / LONDON”. Knife is German silver mounted with 2-1/2″ pommels depicting half-horse half-alligator which is purely American device from American Frontier folklore. Norm Flayderman in his monumental text The Bowie Knife: Unsheathing an American Legend p. 434: “I AM HALF-HORSE AND HALF-ALLIGATOR AND CAN WHIP ANY MAN ON THE MISSISSIPPI BY GOD! That graphic, swaggering boast and analogy in early American literature to characterize Mississippi River boatmen, frontiersman and Kentuckians.” From Davy Crockett’s almanac published in 1835 provided the major impetus for the adoption of half-horse, half-alligator symbol on Sheffield Bowie knives. This knife also has an inset “Latin” cross we have not noted before on an early Sheffield knife made for the American market. Regardless, this knife is unique overall and you will not find another like it. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall. Blade shows old sharpening, is grey overall with staining and light pitting. Markers mark is crisp and easily discerned. Stylized German silver cross guard has several shallow dents and scratches. Reverse pommel has one 1/2″ dent behind raised relief motif with scattered minor bruising and wear to high areas. Mechanically, knife is functional and lock holds firm and solid. There is about 1/2″ x 1/4″ chip of reverse wood grip at top toe where an iron pin has been re-peened at pivot of lock. 50412-59 JS (20,000-30,000) – Lot 4411 Auction: Firearms - October 2016 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 LARGE SHEFFIELD FOLDING BOWIE WITH HALF HORSE-HALF ALLIGATOR POMMELS.