Need help identifying old bowie knife

[CBH]

I'd do more research and now you definitely have something to go on.

Being cynical I'd say it also could be a fake, and I'm not a Civil War collector.

[AZPhil]

That is a very close match down to the grooves in the grip. But its in your hands and you can tell if the blade is the same. From your pic it looks to have a fuller/blood groove.????? If its been in the family that long then there is your provenance


Semper Fi
Phil

[highwingpilot]

Thanks Phil! I'm no knife expert. But yes, It's definitely old. And that's the closest match I've seen. The handle looks identical. The blade is the same overall color. And the shape of the blade is nearly identical - just very slightly deeper curver of the back edge of the point in the one from the website.

By the way, based on your sign-off, thank you for serving. My boys and I do revolutionary war reenactments with the 5th Connecticut Regiment (Fifth Connecticut Regiment Home Page). But also make custom 3D printed slot cars... and I've been working on a Hot Rod design in honor of my friends in the Marine Corps. I call it "Semper Fi". Here's a link to video of it nearing completion. https://youtu.be/C61_D3-v5-8

After that one is complete, I'll work on tribute car designs for the other Armed Forces.

Thanks again for keeping us free!

[MAP]

FWIIW, I understand that Cowen is a fairly reputable auction house

Never bid/bought from them but do know a guy who has bought a number of higher end rifles from them in the past.

[Anderson]

That's an interesting knife. Another possibility is it is a cut down short short from the 19th century and made into a knife. The sheath (which is military style) could also have been cut down to fit. There is a slight suggestion of a upward curving blade. There were various short swords used in the 1800's by Pioneers, Drummers, Buglers etc. If it's not American made, my guess would be French.