American Made Antique Bowie Knife - California Gold Rush - Chevalier - York
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:16942915 |
Rare American made antique Bowie knife deeply stamped "CHEVALIERS CALIFORNIA KNIFE / NEW YORK". Chevalier's knives are very hard to find. American made Bowie knives accounted for less than ten percent of the market in the early days. Sheffield England accounted for the other ninety percent.
When the news of gold in California made headlines Chevalier was the only American maker to advertise this historical event on the blades of some of his knives. Norm Flayd...erman has a near identical knife pictured in his book on Bowie knives and he states: "It appears that John Chevalier of New York, a fine maker of surgical instruments and Bowie knives, was the only American cutler to take a merchandising advantage of that great migration".
Chevaliers California knives were manufactured around 1849 when they were located at 38 Broadway Street. In may of that year Oak Hall California outfitters of Boston advertised Bowie knives to take to California for five to six dollars. You could buy the complete rig - belt, sheath and knife for $37 to $75. This would have been a good knife for both work and self defense. Last image shows an 1840's photograph of a well dressed gentleman wearing a Bowie knife with identical handle, guard and pommel.
This knife has it's original sheath which has a repaired break towards the end.
The condition of the blade is rather disappointing. It has grind marks on both sides and on the false edge. All fittings and mounts on knife and sheath are brass. Handle is dark (ebony?) wood . Size of knife is 11-1/2" overall
00471
When the news of gold in California made headlines Chevalier was the only American maker to advertise this historical event on the blades of some of his knives. Norm Flayd...erman has a near identical knife pictured in his book on Bowie knives and he states: "It appears that John Chevalier of New York, a fine maker of surgical instruments and Bowie knives, was the only American cutler to take a merchandising advantage of that great migration".
Chevaliers California knives were manufactured around 1849 when they were located at 38 Broadway Street. In may of that year Oak Hall California outfitters of Boston advertised Bowie knives to take to California for five to six dollars. You could buy the complete rig - belt, sheath and knife for $37 to $75. This would have been a good knife for both work and self defense. Last image shows an 1840's photograph of a well dressed gentleman wearing a Bowie knife with identical handle, guard and pommel.
This knife has it's original sheath which has a repaired break towards the end.
The condition of the blade is rather disappointing. It has grind marks on both sides and on the false edge. All fittings and mounts on knife and sheath are brass. Handle is dark (ebony?) wood . Size of knife is 11-1/2" overall
00471
