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The knife shown here is the quintessential Confederate fighting knife. The knife is a massive twenty-one inches in length and two inches in breadth. The drop point blade has a four inch reverse edge. The blade tang passes through the hardwood grip and the stirrup style D-guard, which has been inlet into the grip and is peened. The grip is also riveted to the tang making for an extraordinarily tight fit. The blade has not been cleaned, yet remains bright. The quality craftsmanship exhibited in the knife’s manufacture cannot be overstated. The craftsmanship shown in this elegant knife is repeated in the scabbard. The tin scabbard closely follows the flowing form of the blade; so closely that it could not possibly fit any other knife. The scabbard has several things scratched into its surface, but they are so covered with patina that it cannot be photographed and it required really good light and good eyes to read them in person. On one side is reads: Yankee Killer over 1861. On the opposite side it reads: C J Bechtel or Beohtel; however, I am unable to identify him in the Confederate records. I have a theory as to why. The knife has obviously seen very little use, had it seen more the tin scabbard would necessarily acquire numerous dents and gouges, which it has not. The blade likewise, is nick free. I recently had a tin canteen that was identified to an Alabama soldier in the 3rd Alabama; however, he could not be found in the Confederate roster. It turned out that he was in the 3rd, but was killed before the first Confederate muster roll of the 3rd was recorded and was only on state rolls. Bechtel is probably on a state roll form 1861, but never made it to a CS muster roll. Unfortunately I do not know which state and I can not take the time to research them all. It comes with an appraisal from Antiques Road Show appraiser, Christopher Mitchell stating its value in 1999 at $7,500.00. The knife is in virtually perfect, unaltered condition. It is simply one of the finest Confederate D-guard knives in the world. Flawless! |
