Three Civil War Period Soldier Side /Fighting Knives

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1. Clip Point Bowie Knife – a Civil War era knife, this well-made clip point bowie is made from a file, with marks that are clearly visible on the ricasso. Measuring an overall length of 13” and a blade length of 8-1/4”, the nicely shaped squared guard is well-crafted iron.  Handle consists of Two wood slabs attached to tang with 5 pins, with very end of handle chipped and missing at point, exposing tang. Blade shows sharpening but is in excellent condition for age. $600 Now $450

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2. Confederate Side-Knife Made from File – This all original blacksmith or homemade Confederate spear-point side-knife was made from a large file, square in cross section.  Blade measures 11” and overall length is 14-3/4”. With some rusting to blade, the file marks are easily identifiable the entire blade length, and a cold shut from being re-forged on an anvil by its maker can also be seen down the center spine on one side. Unique horn handle is made from a period walking cane, with inlaid pearl discs still visible, iron cross-guard and a pewter filled end cap. $800  Now  $750

3. Rare Civil War Eagle Head Bowie Knife – Extremely rare civil war bowie knife, of the same pattern shown in the Antique Bowie Knife book by Adams/Voyles, page 137. One of only 4 types known, this particular example is the “Philadelphia” style Eagle Head Bowie, measuring 13-1/8” overall, and has a blade measuring 8-7/16”.  Showing use and wear on blade, the knife is all original with brass guard/ferrule (slightly loose from age), brass eagle head and wood grip.  $900 Now $600

Note: All three side knives can be purchased for $1650

Antique Bowie Knife Book by Adams/Voyles, page 137, showing similar Eagle head knife.

Type 97 WW II Japanese Kai-gunto Pattern Naval Officer Sword with Original Silk Storage Bag and Paper Label Found Inside Sword Handle Defining Shiga Kaigun Naval Base  (Comes w Research Literature)

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The sword was made in the province and town called Nagamura Kiyonobu. The actual sword was made by a worker named Minyo Motomatsu. This style sword, Type 97, was started in 1937 – Year 2597 from National Era System - hence Type 97. This type sword was produced till about 1944.

This sword scabbard is wood with polished ray skin. The handle is wrapped in brown silk tape over unpolished brown shark skin and the menuki. There are gold plated handle and scabbard fittings. A label was found in the handle giving the Naval Base.

The stainless steel blade is probably government arsenal made. The tsuba is blackened bronze. Overall length in scabbard 38 ¼”, blade 26 ¼”

Overall, a very fine condition, original WW II Naval Officer’s samurai sword.  Price $4400

Now $4000

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Nickel Plated Ames Model 1840 Artillery Saber  SOLD

Sword blade is 32" long, very fine overall with a couple dark spots on blade - no nicks or cuts on blade. Horizontal maker's mark "Made By Ames MFG Co Chicopee Mass" in four lines on one side of upper blade, the other side is dated 1862 with a stamped "CONN" for the State of  Connecticut militia in two lines. The nickel plating was probably added by a junior officer during the Civil War period.

Original leather grip and wire remain excellent showing honest age and light use, leather washer intact. Scabbard is dent free. Both the nickel plated guard and scabbard show consistent aging and loss of some of the nickel plate due war usage.  The pommel and cross guard have a rack number stamp of #206. The scabbard drag is stamped #262, a probable stamping error because it is doubtful a second sword near this rack #206 was nickel plated. A very nice scarce artillery sword example with ties to a state militia / regiment.  Price $1100 Now $850

Civil War Model 1860 52 CAL. Spencer Carbine S/N 33043

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Rim Fire Caliber with 22” Barrel; 100% original - strong logo stamped on top of breech end of barrel. Very smooth patina metal - all good screws and strong wood with a few use marks on the top of the stock. Perfect function and very strong bore - Made circa late 1863 to early 1864. Two different cartouche inspection marks stamped into wood.

This carbine is an anomaly - there was no normal sling swivel base and loop screwed into the bottom of the stock, but the oval pattern for such a device was correctly pattern marked on the stock but never mortised and installed. However the carbine passed inspection.

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Very fine overall condition  Price $3800

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Fine Model 1803 - Type II Harper’s Ferry Rifle Dated 1812

Price $4600

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The US M-1803 Rifle was the first US designed Army rifle and was initially produced with a 33” octagon to round barrel, 54 caliber and rifled with 7 lands and grooves. The gun was half stocked, and the barrel was secured to the stock by a single barrel wedge and the tang screw. The barrel had a heavy iron under barrel rib, upon which were mounted two iron ramrod pines which held the iron trumpet head ramrod.

Between 1804 and 1807 4,000 of these flintlock rifles were produced at the Harper’s Ferry arsenal. These initial production guns were serial numbered on the left breech flat, above the depressed US and Eagle Head / P proof marks.  Production of the M-1803 rifle ceased 1807. All of these early rifles are considered as “Type I rifles” by collectors.

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Production of the US M-1803 was not ordered to resume until 1813, the result of the need for additional arms due to the War of 1812. Production did resume in 1814 and continued through 1820.

A number of minor changes were made to the rifle at that time. These later production rifles are known as US M-1803 Type II rifles. The majority of them feature a 36” octagon to round barrel, instead of the original 33” barrel. The later production rifles were not serial numbered. The other changes were mostly small cosmetic ones related to the increase in barrel length, including a change in proportions between the octagon and round barrel portions, a change in the length of the stock to accommodate the longer barrel and a slightly recontoured buttstock with a slightly longer patch box.

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Between 1814 and 1820, over 15,718 of the Type II rifles were produced, making a total of 19,718 including both types. The US M-1803 saw service during the War of 1812 and subsequently during the First Seminole War (1817-1818), the Second Seminole War (1835-1842) and even serving during the Mexican War.

After the US M-1803 was superseded by the Hall M-1819 rifle, and the M-1817 “Common Rifle”, many of the older M-1803’s were shipped to Western outposts in territories that would one day become the states of Arkansas, Kansas, Texas, Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico and the Dakota’s. Some US M-1803 Rifles also ended up in state arsenals, issued under the Militia Act of 1808. It was in those arsenals that many were eventually converted to percussion, in order to extend their service life.

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This rifle is in very fine condition and based on the barrel length was probably made in 1815 using a HF lock dated 1812 (see note below). A solder type repair was made to the the upper brass barrel band. The cocking action is solid.  The wood is strong, minimal blemishes with a primary and secondary inspection cartouche stamps. The barrel is crisply stamped with an oval "US" and "Eagle/P" proof marks. The barrel metal is mostly smooth with dark patina, screws are good, patch box springs open with a button release. Overall a very fine rifle.

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Note: From the American Long Rifles Club members, various blog commentary is available on-line stating "I have examined a couple of 1803 model rifles made for the war of 1812 - Both were not dated 1803, and were dimensionally different from the model 1803, primarily in barrel length. One was dated 1811 and the other was dated 1814." Other comments were made that 1792 Contract Rifles have been observed with 1812 HF lock plates. "The seven or eight known surviving 1792/1794 contract rifles all have 1812 dated HF style locks including one restocked model that turned up." 1812 lock plates were made and eventually used in renewed Model 1803 rifle production starting in 1814 and later.

New Jersey 1861 H & P - 69 Cal. Springfield Musket Conversion and H & P Made US Bayonet

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While many Model 1816 flintlock muskets saw conversion from flintlock to percussion in the Civil War period, almost no other musket saw the level of quality workmanship provided by Hewes & Philips of Newark NJ. This military musket was originally made by the Springfield Arsenal in 1830 with a well stamped lock plate / date. This one is a great example flintlock conversions. The State of NJ had about 20,000 at the start of the Civil war - all were converted between 1861 and 1862.

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The musket was originally smooth bore but was rifled during the conversion -the rifling is good. The action is very strong. A very large bolster was welded to the barrel and a percussion nipple threaded in. A unique curved percussion hammer was installed. The ramrod is correct and original to the gun.

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This musket is the scarcer Type 1 conversion with a bolster clean out screw. The Type 2 conversions had no screw. The top of the barrel shows the company markings “H&P” and the date of the conversion "1861". A large “NJ” for New Jersey is also visible where the barrel meets the stock on the left side.

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A multi-leaf sight was installed at the rear. A bayonet lug was installed on the top near the muzzle. A longer “US” marked bayonet was made to current standards.

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This musket also has well defined original cartouche marks on the wood and metal from its original manufacture in 1830. there are cartouche markings on the wood, barrel, trigger guard, upper barrel band and escutcheon plate. See photos

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Although this musket saw real service, the stock wood and overall metal are strong with normal light metal pitting and some nicks in the wood from combat usage but no real issues. The barrel has a gray mottled look.

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H & P used part numbers for the components they made for their conversion. Bayonet #6 – Bayonet Lug #16 – Bolster #10 or #18 – Hammer #1  with H & P  and 1861 on top of barrel. See photos

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 A very nice example of a converted New Jersey Militia musket and bayonet.    Price $2700                 

Original Boyle & Gamble Confederate Staff Officer Sword w Scabbard​ Made in Richmond VA

This sword is 100% original, has never been cleaned. The patina on the hilt, scabbard mounts and drag all match. Comes with a period sword knot and its original throat washer. The brass fixtures' color show a high copper content.

There are no nicks, scratches or bruises on the hilt, mounts or drag. The leather scabbard is solid and strong but has some minor age surface cracks and one stress area from use , but the scabbard remains solid. The scabbard's glossy leather finish is present and still intact. The leather grip and wire on handle are original and 100% intact.

The blade was never been sharpened - it has seven tick marks along the edge from real usage.

The blade is generally bright with a readable acid etched CSA in a shield and the Battle Flag on one side and two sets of Confederate flags on the other side, the lower set of flags is strong - the upper set of flags is on the lighter side. Both blade sides have etched scroll and floral decorations. The blade has scattered light mottled age gray color along both sides. The blade point is strong.  Price $19,500

Confederate Cook Rifle Sabre Bayonet

A very nice, well made bayonet produced in Athens GA for the famous Cook and Brother Rifles. The brass hilt is not serial numbered. When New Orleans fell, Cook & Brother managed to escape with their raw materials, parts on hand and unfinished parts.  That material was all transported to the Selma Arsenal where they assembled the last of the Alabama state contract.  The remainder of parts were then transferred again the Athens, Georgia and were incorporated into the early Athens rifle. The blade is 22.5 inches long with an overall length of 27 inches.  The blade is smooth with mottled gray color and very minimal pitting. It has not been cleaned or sharpened. The spring lug release button works well.       Price $3000

Confederate L. Froelich / Keanansville NC Cavalry Sword

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A very nice example of a Type I Froelich Cavalry sword based on plain pommel cap - Model 1840 pattern - 39.5" overall length. No scabbard or Roman assembly number on guard. Strong grip covered with brown leather and single wire, scattered light mottling and patina along the smooth blade with a strong point. Very slight curve near end of blade made during manufacture. Leather washer present.  Blade and handle are solidly attached. Sword has not been cleaned. Sword was formerly in Bill Erquitt's collection. Price $3200