3116

EXEMPLARY PRADEL, NEW ORLEANS BOWIE KNIFE.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:15,000.00 USD Estimated At:30,000.00 - 50,000.00 USD
EXEMPLARY PRADEL, NEW ORLEANS BOWIE KNIFE.

This is the finest & most famous New Orleans bowie knife extant. This bowie is pictured on the cover of Phil Bazer’s text “New Orleans Cutlers”. Knife is also photographed in detail on page 162 & 163. 13 1/4" Overall. 8 1/2" Wide clip point blade stamped “PRADEL, A / NEW ORLEANS”. Checkered ebony grip. 2 1/4" Blued oval steel crossguard. German silver ferrule & sheath mounts. Blaise Pradel, best known for antebellum surgical instruments, also made several unique Confederate swords & 2 marked bowie knives are known including this, the finest one. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: copy of “New Orleans Cutlers” by Phil Bazer. CONDITION: fine overall. Blade is gray/bright. Crisp markings. Salt & pepper pitting. Handle is equally fine w/ crisp diamond point crosshatching. Sheath is sound w/ scuffing & chipping to leather body. German silver mounts have scattered cosmetic blemishes. Distinctive iron tip. Smooth patina. Knife ranks among the handful of the finest antebellum / Civil War bowies known. PROVENANCE: Collection of John Montague. (02-16495/JS). $30,000-50,000.