Large Bowie, W/ Id - J. T. Dyer 1866 with Ivory Handle

[Shotgun Steve]

Large Bowie, Made from 1840 Sabre blade Inscribed on handle J. T. Dyer R.A, 1866 AR. Handle is two pieces of ivory, there are shinkage cracks around the copper or brass rivits, with old repair to one side.
From Collectable Weapons.

[rebsr52339]

Hey SS, Just goes to prove even potentially broken saber blades do not go to waste.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Hey SS, Just goes to prove even potentially broken saber blades do not go to waste.

Howdy!  I had the great pleasure of visiting the shop of David Smith, in the village of Smithy on the shore of Loch Lomond,  near Glasgow, Scotland.  (My wife's home town.)  David S. makes swords - museum quality - of various Scottish designs; both types of Claymores,  etc.

Even 'tho I had a fresh Master Card at the time, I couldn't justify spending the money for one of his swords ... even 'tho they were truly bargains and FULLY usable.  So I looked into one of the 2 "hunting" knives he had.  He explained that "back in the day" they didn't actually make knives, they simply converted broken swords, because the level of work required was nearly the same, so why bother making something "short" (they would say "wee")  from the git-go?  I guess this may be where recycling started in Bonnie Scotland!

However, Mr. Smith made these 2 as knives ... they weren't salvaged from broken swords.

Anyway, I STILL regret leaving his shop empty-handed, but money was tight and I needed to keep the MC in reserve "just in case" for emergencies.