Lot 215

James Rodgers Attrubuted Bowie Knife - Tusk Silver

Estimate: $2,500 - $3,500

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$25,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000
The lot features an outstanding large bowie knife with ivory tusk and silver grips being unmarked, but attributed to James Rodgers & Co. The knife shows a large traditional bowie pattern with flat back thick spine running to a half or third false grind long swooping clip point tip. The blade itself shows a square flat ricasso with no choil and an impressive solid silver, likely German, quillon hand guard in an extraordinary figured design. The handle, being a full tang construction, shows a silver ferrule or bolster with two filed lines which flows into the beautiful Ivory Tusk having a very unique rolling curved design at the center and holding a matched curving large inlaid silver, possibly sterling, escutcheon plate. The grips are held to the tang with four studs and the silver plate is held into place with two each, on both sides. At the base of the knife the butt or pommel has a set of silver bolsters with curved bottom and diagonal square sides with a single filed line in each. The Ivory tusk scales are accompanied by brass bolster linings which like the tang are slightly proud of the grips giving a very appealing stepped design. A similar example can be seen in Harold L. Peterson’s 1958 book, “American Knives” on page 40, figure 46 as the third knife, which is designated as a James Rodgers. The blade of the knife is unmarked and has a nice clean finish with very little to no pitting. The handle has slight cracks at the pink and typical tusk cracks which are natural but is in very nice solid condition. The grips have a convex outward curved shape which is quite comfortable in the hand. The knife has the appearance and high quality to be considered a 19th Century example but is not hallmarked and as such its age is unknown and has been attributed to James Rodgers in style and manufacture. Measures 16.5”L with a 11 5/8”L blade and 3 7/8”W hilt hand guard. The tusk in this knife is considered to be Walrus.
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