21st Tennessee Cavalry Original Confederate Civil War Knife Lt JR Arnold Bowie
The knife was made by Memphis Novelty Works and includes the original case. The case is inscribed as belonging to 1st Lt. Arnold of the 21st Regiment Tennessee Calvary. Arnold was a commanding office in Company "D" which was men from Rutherford County, Tennessee. Historically, the dirk knife was a personal weapon of officers and used in hand-to-hand combat.
The oral history is that the knife was presented to Lt. Arnold by the men of his company. The knife has been well preserved in the case. This is an absolutely beautiful piece with a great history. The knife measures approximately 10.25 long.
The blade is 5.75 x. 75 and has the maker's mark of Memphis Novelty Works.A brief history of the Memphis Novelty Works (also known as Leech & Rigdon) is below. The grip is made of bone (natural substance) and the guard is nickel silver. The knife is tight with no movement.
The original case measures 12.5" x 4.5". It shows slight wear on the edges but is in overall excellent condition considering the age. The front clasp still functions perfectly. The top of the case has a gold leaf stamp of the maker and the owner - LT.
Here is a brief history of Leech & Rigdon (Memphis Novelty Works) of Memphis, Tennessee. Homas Leech and Charles H. Rigdon, principals of Leech and Rigdon, also known as the Memphis Novelty Works (sometimes plain "Novelty Works"), are well known for the imitation Colt Revolvers which they supplied the Confederacy. Their sword making activities have never been fully explored. It is known, however that they were engaged in sword making while in Memphis and later at Columbus, Mississippi, Georgia and at this point the partnership ended. It has been established that the firm made 1,500 revolvers. No estimate has ever been given as to their number of swords and probably never will be. However, from the existing specimens their operations in this respect were not small. Manufacture included all types of swords, sabres, knives, bayonets and probably cutlasses as well. I will also be auctioning an original Nashville Plow Works knife owned by Lt. It is shown in the first picture above. The item "21st Tennessee Cavalry Original Confederate Civil War Knife Lt JR Arnold Bowie" is in sale since Friday, October 07, 2016. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\Civil War (1861-65)\Original Period Items\Edged Weapons". The seller is "wesaleyourstuff" and is located in Adairsville, Georgia. This item can be shipped worldwide.