This knife belonged to a Kentucky Cavalryman

The Bowie knife shown here is seventeen inches in length and has a double edged, twelve inch blade that is two inches wide. The blade is uncleaned but he edges were sharpened a good while ago; probably after its period of active use. Knives with double edged, or spear point blades were made for one purpose, killing men. It is no good as a utility knife or a hunting/butcher knife; the lack of a flat spine makes it all but unusable for these purposes.

The cross-guard is made of well-formed iron. The grip is a common "broom handle” style with an iron ferrule at the base to keep it from splitting. The tang passes through an iron washer before being peened. The knife is extremely well made and is a very high quality; it is arsenal quality. It is still sheathed in its original dark russet scabbard. The scabbard is made of two pieces of harness leather, sewn together and as so often is found in Confederate knives, it is pinned with lead rivets. The decorative brass tacks may have been added later by the owner

The scabbard originally had a belt loop on the reverse, set at an angle for a cross draw. This belt loop did not deteriorate or come off, it was intentionally sliced off, meaning it was taken from a body, or a prisoner, but more likely a body. That it was taken as a souvenir no doubt explains the knife’s excellent condition. The scabbard remains in pretty much the same condition it was in when it was cut off of the belt.

Another knife by the same maker is known, and I have included a picture of it. Its scabbard is very similar but it had a cross draw shoulder holster rig rather than a belt loop. But more importantly, it has the owner’s name and regiment carved into the reverse side. It was carried by Henry Gilbert of the 4th and 9th Kentucky Cavalry.

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