Presumed Natchez, Mississippi: Rees Fitzpatrick, n.d. Overall approx. 16 9/16 in., blade approx. 11 13/16 in. long.

This is a very fine example of an oft-sought-after, aesthetically pleasing and enigmatic Confederate clip point Bowie knife, complete in its exceedingly scarce embossed all-leather scabbard and belt loop. Long misattributed to T. A. Potts of New Orleans per a dubious maker or retailer-marked specimen in the Ben Palmer collection, earning them the misnomer "Potts Bowie knife bayonets," the two-ringed edged weapons are now widely accepted to be the work of Rees Fitzpatrick of Natchez, Mississippi, based on an identical example, sans the brass rings, produced by Fitzpatrick.

The rings themselves are steeped in ambiguity, as, unlike the visually analogous barrel adapters found on sword bayonets, the rings' interiors are left unfinished. It has been posited that the rings would instead allow for the knives to be improvised into pike spearheads. Battlefield-altered examples with the rings crudely removed suggest that they also saw use in lieu of traditional side knives. 

Surviving examples with the leather scabbards are particularly rare. Whereas most feature a brass throat and drag, it is in this case, remarkably, wholly leather, with a wide belt loop set near the top to the obverse. The halves are strongly stitched together with plied flax cord. There is an approx. 2 in. separation slightly above the obverse lower seam. The reverse is embossed with a symbol resembling a fish extending down from the throat. 

The distinctive hilt is solid and the rings are perfectly aligned on either side of the attractively-colored and surfaced rosewood grip. Both rings evidence file marks to their exteriors and there is minor wear from handling to the pommel. The dual ferrules have assumed a warmer patina, and the brass elements exhibit traces of verdigris throughout. The blade, which bears a few nicks near the tip, is patinated a warm brown. 

Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Swords, Knives, Bowie Knives, Knife, Blades]