THE FINEST KNOWN IDENTIFIED COOPER IRON WORKS CONFEDERATE D-GUARD BOWIE KNIFE AND SCABBARD IN EXISTENCE.

THE FINEST KNOWN IDENTIFIED COOPER IRON WORKS CONFEDERATE D-GUARD BOWIE KNIFE AND SCABBARD IN EXISTENCE. An extreme rarity is this fine Cooper Iron Works fighting knife identified to Sargent William Mims one of 5 identified and recorded Civil War Confederate D-Guard Bowie knives made by the Cooper Iron Works of Cartersville, Georgia nearby the Etowah River (and often called the “Etowah Iron Works). A massive clipped point knife with a sheet brass D-guard, turned black-stained wooden handle with brass ferrules in a brass mounted black bridle leather scabbard. Presentation names on the other 4 known knives are Seago, Clark, Haynes and Bell. The names are all stamped with individual die, all being the same size and style. Mims” name is correctly stamped as these others on the D-guard. The overall length of the Mims knife is 18” with a massive clipped point blade 1-3/4” wide and 11-5/8” long. The scabbard is of black bridle leather stitched at the sides with a single belt loop on the reverse, sewn at the bottom and attached with two copper rivets at the top. The throat is decorated with a sheet brass band having a small decorative languet. The tip is covered with a pointed sheet brass drag secured with 4 pins. The front side of the scabbard is boldly stamped with the initials “G.C.G.”. G.C.G. denotes the Gate City Guards, among the most elite of Atlanta militia units formed prior to the Civil War. The Gate City Guards have provided troops for all American wars since the Civil War serving with distinction. Approximately 100 of these knives were thought to have been made by Cooper in fulfillment of his promise to arm the Atlanta Greys and the Floyd Infantry-the two units in which his sons would serve the Confederacy. Only 5 of the 100 are known, the named specimens are thought to have been presented to officers from several Georgia units by Cooper himself. An extensive amount of research has been completed on the Cooper Iron Works, the life of Mark Anthony Cooper as well as tracing the names of the known presentation Bowie knives. An extensive file accompanies the knife. “Sargent and later Major Mims” is listed in the Index to the City of Atlanta for this period. Accompanied by an extensive research file and book. This is no doubt the finest untouched and historical Confederate D-guard to ever be offered privately or in auction. CONDITION: Excellent. Certainly the finest known example of its type. The blade is bright and appears to have never been cleaned. The brass has a light patina worn on the high spots from handling. There is slight wear to the black stain on the turned grip and the scabbard is strong, not flaking and without any major bends or flaws. Most certainly an historic knife and an important find. These Cooper fighting knives are among the most desirable Confederate weapons. One of 5 presentation examples known. 4-31236 CW5 (55,000-75,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2007

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
	1349	$0.00	THE FINEST KNOWN IDENTIFIED COOPER IRON WORKS CONFEDERATE D-GUARD BOWIE KNIFE AND SCABBARD IN EXISTENCE. An extreme rarity is this fine Cooper Iron Works fighting knife identified to Sargent William Mims one of 5 identified and recorded Civil War Confederate D-Guard Bowie knives made by the Cooper Iron Works of Cartersville, Georgia nearby the Etowah River (and often called the “Etowah Iron Works). A massive clipped point knife with a sheet brass D-guard, turned black-stained wooden handle with brass ferrules in a brass mounted black bridle leather scabbard. Presentation names on the other 4 known knives are Seago, Clark, Haynes and Bell. The names are all stamped with individual die, all being the same size and style. Mims” name is correctly stamped as these others on the D-guard. The overall length of the Mims knife is 18” with a massive clipped point blade 1-3/4” wide and 11-5/8” long. The scabbard is of black bridle leather stitched at the sides with a single belt loop on the reverse, sewn at the bottom and attached with two copper rivets at the top. The throat is decorated with a sheet brass band having a small decorative languet. The tip is covered with a pointed sheet brass drag secured with 4 pins. The front side of the scabbard is boldly stamped with the initials “G.C.G.”. G.C.G. denotes the Gate City Guards, among the most elite of Atlanta militia units formed prior to the Civil War. The Gate City Guards have provided troops for all American wars since the Civil War serving with distinction. Approximately 100 of these knives were thought to have been made by Cooper in fulfillment of his promise to arm the Atlanta Greys and the Floyd Infantry-the two units in which his sons would serve the Confederacy. Only 5 of the 100 are known, the named specimens are thought to have been presented to officers from several Georgia units by Cooper himself. An extensive amount of research has been completed on the Cooper Iron Works, the life of Mark Anthony Cooper as well as tracing the names of the known presentation Bowie knives. An extensive file accompanies the knife. “Sargent and later Major Mims” is listed in the Index to the City of Atlanta for this period. Accompanied by an extensive research file and book. This is no doubt the finest untouched and historical Confederate D-guard to ever be offered privately or in auction. CONDITION: Excellent. Certainly the finest known example of its type. The blade is bright and appears to have never been cleaned. The brass has a light patina worn on the high spots from handling. There is slight wear to the black stain on the turned grip and the scabbard is strong, not flaking and without any major bends or flaws. Most certainly an historic knife and an important find. These Cooper fighting knives are among the most desirable Confederate weapons. One of 5 presentation examples known. 4-31236 CW5 (55,000-75,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2007 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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