3267 REMARKABLE & UNIQUE AMERICAN IRON LION HEAD

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This item SOLD at 2020 Jun 14 @ 13:39UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 2,000.00 USD
Estimated at 4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
POMMEL ANTEBELLUM BOWIE KNIFE. 14 1/4" Overall, 9 1/2" clip point blade, 1 3/4" wide over 1/4" thick at ricasso, 5" particularly sharpened clip & totally unmarked. Layered leather sheath w/ shammy lining, 4" brass drag & 2" iron throat pinned & soldered much like mounts seen on Confederate short swords & cutlasses. Most unique feature of this knife is the 1 1/2" tall case iron pommel of dbl. facing lions, effigy-like not seen on any other bowie. The iron work is similar to design seen in early 19th century Southern ironwork, but nothing on a knife. This is an unique and aesthetically beautiful mystery. CONDITION: fine to excellent. Blade retains much of its original polish & luster. Iron crossguard retains traces of bright blue finish w/ overall smooth dark patina. Wood grip retains most of its original varnish w/ high edge wear. Iron escutcheons retain much of their silver plate. Pommel is a smooth dark iron patina retaining same varnish found on grip in the protected recesses. Sheath is sound but torn & detached internally & bunched near tip such that knife fits very tightly. Brass mounts have mottled medium mustard patina w/ staining. Oval copper frog button has mixed chocolate patina. (02-13480/JS). $4,000-6,000.