3148 FINEST CONFEDERATE KG&K 2-BRANCH BOWIE KNIFE

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This item SOLD at 2023 May 14 @ 12:26UTC-4 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 3,000.00 USD
Estimated at 6,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD

WITH ORIGINAL SCABBARD. 24.5” overall, 19” clip point blade. This knife was for many years in the extraordinary Confederate edged weapon collection of Fred Edmonds. His letter accompanies this lot stating that this is a product of the Atlanta Saber Manufactory and not KG&K. Regardless, it is the best example ever to surface. On page 108, of “Confederate Bowie Knives” is shown another example of the possibly 20 survivors accounted for. Most are rough and this is only example documented with original scabbard. Text states: “Some question remains as to whether swords with this hilt form are a product of the Atlanta Saber Manufactory or KG&K. Well known for their Confederate swords, these factory modified sword-bowies are the only known knives made by Kraft, Goldschmidt, & Kraft. At first glance appearing to be nothing more than one of their cavalry sabers cut down to knife size, a closer look reveals something else. The grip, ferrule and pommel are those of a Saber, only the guard was cast with two branches instead of the usual three. A third branch has not been removed. All extant examples of this form are identical, even down to the same grind modifications on the clip point and identical blade lengths. While the blades may have originally been intended for use on sabers, all of these Bowies left the factory in knife form.” CONDITION: very good overall, “attic as found”. blade has smooth iron patina with staining and light pitting, brass hilt has deep olive/copper patina. carved wood grip retains about 80% of its original leather which much is dry and flaking with tight original iron wire wrap. The tooled brown leather scabbard is sound with craquelure and open seam at tip. The original belt loop is attached with small brass frog button, seam on one side is unsewn. Belt loop has old wire repair where thread broken. (02-19074/JS). $6,000-8,000.