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The fierce looking fighting knife shown here measures 15.5".  The 10.5" double-edged blade with central ridge was meant for one thing, killing men.  I feel confident; however, that its main work was cutting overly aggressive swine down to size.

The blade shows numerous folding and refolding marks made during the hand forgery process.  The blade is secured to the lathe turned oak grip by means of a tang passing through an elongated oval crossguard and a pewter ferrule before being peened over an iron washer.

The bridal leather scabbard is without a doubt original to the knife.  The scabbard is sewn down the rear centerline and the belt loop is on the front so that it could be worn on the inside of the belt, with the belt loop out. The scabbard is in exceptionally good condition; all of the stitching is original, intact and strong.

An article in North South Trader Magazine, Vol. XXXIII, No. 4 attributes this Bowie to a North Carolina maker, circa 1862-1863.  Most likely, no more than enough to equip a company sized unit was produced by this local Carolina maker.  Both Bowie and scabbard are in beautiful condition and are totally original and unaltered.