A rare coffin hilt bowie knife by Gravely and Wreaks
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3160
A rare coffin hilt bowie knife by Gravely and Wreaks
dated 1839
The broad 7 3/8 inch clip point blade with 4 inch unsharpened false edge and signed on one side Gravely & Wreaks/New York. Ricasso and tang sheathed in silver. Ebonized rosewood (?) gripscales secured by six German silver rivets and fitted with German silver plates below the blade and around the pommel; front gripscale with German silver escutcheon neatly but nonprofessionally incised W.F. 1839. With black leather-covered paper scabbard; silver-plated copper mounts, the throat incised in script W. Fairholine/L'Acadie 1839, the belt loop also incised 1839.
Condition: Blade with grey patina showing patches of light pitting and scratches along the edge. Grips with light marks and hairline cracks. German silver panel at pommel missing one pin and showing numerous small dents. Scabbard with losses to leather; reverse with remains of old glued label; mounts with wear to finish; belt loop bent.
See Illustration
Sold for US$ 25,740 inc. premium

Footnotes

  • Note: For a very similar example see Fig. 21 in Classic Bowie Knives by Robert Abels.
    L'Acadie is a town in Quebec founded in the late 18th century.

Category: Arms and Armour

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Contacts

Paul Carella Bonhams
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Work +1 415 503 3360
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Specialist - Arms and Armor
Wes Sparling Bonhams
Work
220 San Bruno Avenue
San Francisco, 94103
United States
Work +1 415 503 3408
FaxFax: +1 415 503 3300
Specialist - Arms and Armor