CIVIL WAR SOLDIER’S BOWIE KNIFE

6” spear point blade marked ALEXANDER SHEFFIELD one side with N Y flanking stars and bars the other. See Bowie Knives by Robert Ables, #27, 76 and 77 for examples by this maker, all of which bear the same markings and are identified as “Civil War soldier's knife”, “soldier’s knife, Civil War period”, and “made for Civil War use”, respectively. This example identical to #76 which is shown with a mismatched scabbard which is overlong for the blade flared at the throat for no reason relative to the knife. This scabbard is matched with mounts identical to the guard and symmetrical for a double-edged blade. Robert Ables was a pioneer Arms & Armor (New York) dealer whose contribution to the knowledge and appreciation of Bowie knives is unparalleled.