A Big Bowie and Traditional Sheath

[ChuckBurrows]

The Bowie by a maker named Lofgren is based on the Musso Bowie (a controversial knife due to the brass back - but that's a subject for another thread). Despite the controversy, it's overall a decent example of the large Bowies of the 1840-1860's period - the blade is 13.5" x 2.5" and the knife weighs 2.5 lbs. While large it is well balanced and IMO when considered to be a short sword rather than a large knife it is not unwieldy for that purpose - I consider these big Bowies more on the order of the espada de anchas and other types of period short swords, which were intended as a weapon rather than as an all purpose knife.
The sheath is a typical period style with a center back seam and German silver tip and throat. It also includes one style of period frog aka belt hanger which are far too often missing from the surviving originals. While some period knives were carried under the belt using the stud to hold it place, they were designed to be worn with such a frog.
While many of the original period sheath were made with a papier mache liner covered with leather, I used a bark tan liner covered with a light bark tan cover. Other than that change the sheath was built using period materials, including hide glue to glue the cover to the liner, the coloring done by vinegar black, and the finish which is one recipe of dubbin: a mix of tallow, bees wax, and neats foot oil. The line carving is based on several original pieces as were the German Silver tip and throat - the tip and throat are pinned in place on the backside. The sheath was aged including some dents and a light patina - used but not abused.

[Ned Buckshot]

Very nice Chuck, is there a belt loop on the back of the frog? It's a little hard for me to tell from the picture.

Ned

[Marshal Deadwood]

Outstanding, Chuck. I think you are correct,,the big bowie of the 19th century was a 'side arm'...the equivalent of the 'short sword' of the 18th century. I think it is hard for moderns to grasp the idea of the knife being a 'side arm',,because we haven't existed in a violent world armed with single shot (or very slow re-load) types of weapons.

That, and the fact they are just kewl as hell !

MD

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Chuck,

I love the knife .... and the sheath .... I had to keep saying to myself; 'You already have too many knives!'

Kinda reminds me in size of the one Sam Elliot wore in 'The Quick and the Dead' ... but since he never pulled it out of his sheath in the whole movie, I can only guess ... *S*

[Shotgun Steve]

Now Chuck that is nice.....I didn't know you were making me a birthday present.

[The Elderly Kid]

I have a good Musso Bowie replica from Imperial Weapons with the same proportions and weight as this one (guard is brass, though, not iron). It is, indeed, a short sword rather than a knife. Somewhere, it has crossed that subtle line. In fact, it is really a small  medieval falchion, the classic foot soldier's sword, and would have been right at home on the belt of a crossbowman or pikeman. Falchions were usually employed in conjunction with a small shield called a buckler, whereas these 19th century specimens were not. It can't be used with the subtle moves of the lighter, "dueling" Bowies, but with this one, you don't have to cut someone twice.

[GunClick Rick]

Here ya go Wadd,this is the one..

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Rick,
I gotta bad knee, and no caisson or horses to pull that thing .... *S*

[ChuckBurrows]

Thanks all - this one was real challenge and the owner called yesterday and said he loves the heck out of it!

Ned - take a look at the third picture and you can see the belt loop sticking out above the sheath - it's part of the frog. The frog is made out of three pieces:
1) The back - which is an upside down T shape, The belt loop is folded forward and is either sewn or riveted to the cross piece on the back side
2) The front piece which is wet formed and sewn to the back along both edges
3) The lock strap - usually I make this to attach to the main stud, but due to the size of this piece I had to add an additional stud. Many of the originals don't have this strap, but I find that without it, the frog is not as stable so I use it unless otherwise directed by the customer.

[Ned Buckshot]

Thanks Chuck!

Ned