3079A A BELT KNIFE SALVAGED FROM THE WRECK OF THE USS

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This item SOLD at 2024 Jul 24 @ 10:48UTC-4 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 250.00 USD
Estimated at 500.00 - 800.00 USD
UNDERWRITER, A UNION GUNBOAT. This fascinating knife measures 13” overall with a nearly 8” blade. It has a brass semi-S-shaped guard with silver-plated ferrule and pommel cap. The grip appears to be wood and is held on by a single iron rivet. The knife definitely shows the affects of being in the Neuse River of North Carolina since the Civil War. The knife was recovered from the wreck of the USS Underwriter lying at the bottom of the Neuse River in 1987. Our consignor purchased the knife from the diver in 2002. The knife is very similar to page 116, figure 121, of the famous book “THE BLOCKADE RUNNER MODERN GREECE AND HER CARGO” by Leslie S. Bright. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: pages relating to the discovery of the USS Underwriter published by the NORTH CAROLINA HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE. A letter from the consignor detailing how he came to own the knife. The book “THE BLOCKADE RUNNER MODERN GREECE AND HER CARGO”. CONDITION: as expected, there is a lot of corrosion to the iron blade, whereas the brass and silver plate faired much better during its years of immersion. The grip is surprisingly solid and virtually complete. (02-22830/BF). $500-800.