RARE EARLY W. BUTCHER BOWIE KNIFE.

RARE EARLY W. BUTCHER BOWIE KNIFE. Mid-1830’s style Bowie by W. Butcher with ricasso marked with a cypher of a “WR” and crown which is the royal cypher of William IV (1832-1836). Ricasso is also marked “SHEFFIELD”. This wonderful early knife has an 8-7/8″ slim clip point blade and is 14-1/16″ overall. Blade is 1-1/4″ wide at widest point with a 6-7/16″ back grind with Spanish notch and is 1/4″ thick at ricasso. Blade is flat ground and is etched full length of blade including back grind area with beautiful sweeping foliate arabesque patterns with a 2-3/8″ long x 1/4″ wide panel in center marked “ARKANSAS TOOTHPICK”. It has a flat, 3/32″ thick, German-silver handguard with rnd ends and German-silver bolster with ebony scales with beveled edges secured with four German-silver pins and a long narrow rectangle on each side. Top & bottom of handle are German-silver panels with a flat German-silver pommel cap. This knife is nearly identical to those found on pp. 343 & 375 of The Antique Bowie Knife Book, Adams, Voyles & Moss, but with slightly different shaped blades but by same maker. Another one of similar shape & size is found as fig. 37 on p. 35 of American Knives, Peterson. Accompanied by remnants of a very early leather sheath, missing its throat & tip. It has a hand sewn seam on rear center. Face has light incised decorations. CONDITION: Fine plus. Blade is a light gray metal color having been sharpened very little, if at all. It retains thin but very discernible etching on blade and has areas of fine pitting. Handle has cracked scales but is complete with much orig finish. Sheath shows heavy wear with losses at throat & tip. A truly fine early & rare Bowie suitable for any level of collector. 4-31234(11,000-14,000)

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
	1351	$14,950.00	RARE EARLY W. BUTCHER BOWIE KNIFE. Mid-1830’s style Bowie by W. Butcher with ricasso marked with a cypher of a “WR” and crown which is the royal cypher of William IV (1832-1836). Ricasso is also marked “SHEFFIELD”. This wonderful early knife has an 8-7/8″ slim clip point blade and is 14-1/16″ overall. Blade is 1-1/4″ wide at widest point with a 6-7/16″ back grind with Spanish notch and is 1/4″ thick at ricasso. Blade is flat ground and is etched full length of blade including back grind area with beautiful sweeping foliate arabesque patterns with a 2-3/8″ long x 1/4″ wide panel in center marked “ARKANSAS TOOTHPICK”. It has a flat, 3/32″ thick, German-silver handguard with rnd ends and German-silver bolster with ebony scales with beveled edges secured with four German-silver pins and a long narrow rectangle on each side. Top & bottom of handle are German-silver panels with a flat German-silver pommel cap. This knife is nearly identical to those found on pp. 343 & 375 of The Antique Bowie Knife Book, Adams, Voyles & Moss, but with slightly different shaped blades but by same maker. Another one of similar shape & size is found as fig. 37 on p. 35 of American Knives, Peterson. Accompanied by remnants of a very early leather sheath, missing its throat & tip. It has a hand sewn seam on rear center. Face has light incised decorations. CONDITION: Fine plus. Blade is a light gray metal color having been sharpened very little, if at all. It retains thin but very discernible etching on blade and has areas of fine pitting. Handle has cracked scales but is complete with much orig finish. Sheath shows heavy wear with losses at throat & tip. A truly fine early & rare Bowie suitable for any level of collector. 4-31234(11,000-14,000) 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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