Large antique IXL Bowie knife with Confederate, Civil War, related paper
Massive antique Bowie knife with an original 1863 Harper's Weekly woodcut engraved illustration by Thomas Nast titled: HISTORIC EXAMPLE OF SOUTHERN CHIVALRY....... " The large center illustration shows a confederate guerrilla holding an "IXL Bowie knife with blade dimensions nearly identical to this one offered here. It's a good, period item that you can associate, - and display it with.
Description: Knife measures just over 17 inches with a long, menacing, 11-1/2 clipped blade. WOSTENHOLM & SON / WASHINGTON WORKS", "IXL", "THE REAL IXL KNIFE" in ribbon over "THE HUNTERS COMPANION, and image of General Zachary Taylor on horseback stamped on blade tang. One piece, checkered horn handle has nice grain and patina with several small worm holes. Very nice, 1 wide, ferrule with grape leaf and grape decorations. Handsome, 3-1/4 inch "S" shaped guard. The blade is fairly heavy and is a weak 1/4 inch thick at the spine. Very solid, not loose, it's a real good fighting knife. Condition: Very good overall with grey patina and scattered areas of staining and pitting. During General Zachary Taylor's presidential campaign in 1848, an image of "Gen'l Taylor" on horseback was used as a promotional advertisement on flyers and things. Some Sheffield knife makers recreated that image, and produced motto's that celebrated his victories during the Mexican War, on Bowie knives and sheaths headed for the American market and continued to do so probably until his death. After they tossed "Old Zack's" corpse in the coffin - and the coffin in the clay in July, 1850, it is very doubtful that his motifs were used on Bowie knives any longer.The item "Large antique IXL Bowie knife with Confederate, Civil War, related paper" is in sale since Tuesday, May 03, 2016. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\Civil War (1861-65)\Original Period Items\Edged Weapons". The seller is "atthediggings" and is located in Honolulu, Hawaii. This item can be shipped worldwide.