3034 LARGE CONFEDERATE BOWIE MADE BY AFRICAN AMERICAN

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This item SOLD at 2023 Nov 05 @ 11:39UTC-4 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 2,000.00 USD
Estimated at 4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
SLAVE LEWIS CRENSHAW, HOPE HULL, ALABAMA. 20.5" overall, 15.75" spear point blade, 2" wide, .22" thick, oak slab grips, original leather sheath. This knife is pictured in "THE ANTIQUE BOWIE KNIFE BOOK" by Adams & Voyles 1990 on pages 432 & 433. This knife was retained by descendants of George Washington Shackleford, Co. F, 2nd Alabama Cavalry who related the history to Roger Ballard in 1989. There are 2 other specimens known, both pictured in "CONFEDERATE BOWIE KNIVES" 2012 on page 172, both found in central Alabama & thought made for the other Shackleford brothers by Crenshaw. Josh Phillips remarked in our coauthored text: "There is beauty in the simple lines of this knife. Nothing fancy or extra, but everything was done well with a precise fit." George Washington Shackleford (1827-1867), Frank (1830-1905), Joseph (1835-1902) & Madison (1838-1905) all served in same Co. F, 2nd Alabama Cavalry having enlisted together on May 1st 1862 in Montgomery AL. Both Madison and Joseph would become commissioned lieutenants. All four brothers are buried in the Shackleford cemetery near their ancestral home. This is among the very few Confederate Bowie knives with known family history as to who carried it and who made it. CONDITION: very good overall "as found", gray blade showing original finishing marks, smooth iron patina, scattered pitting, grip slabs have hand worn patina. The original sheath is dry, slightly shrunk missing last inch or so of tip, reinforced sewn edge is good with the about 1" chip missing one side, 2.5" belt loop still attached. (02-19969/JS). $4,000-6,000.