The term "arsenal made” is a figure of speech used frequently in the Confederate knife collecting community. It does not mean that we know what arsenal it was made by, or for; it denotes a style characterized by practicality, size and quality of construction. The other two types would be "blacksmith made” characterized by extreme crudeness of manufacture, and in some cases extreme size. The "blacksmith made” were, and are, the most common of the Confederate knives. The third type are "cutler made” knives, which would denote such quality and extravagance as could have been produced only by a skilled cutler.

The sixteen inch Bowie knife shown here has an elegant blade that is eleven and three quarter inches in length and has a one and three quarter inch width. The blade has a stopped edge at the ricasso and an extended reverse edge running six inches back along the spine, making it in effect a spear pointed Bowie. The cross-guard is made of crudely cast brass and has a walnut (I believe) swelled grip with two flattened sides set into a brass ferrule with a lapped seam. The pommel is a capped, lapped ferrule held in place by a brass pin running through from one side to the other. The knife is exceptionally well made. The blade remains as tight as the day it was made. The knife’s scabbard is made of heavy leather, folded and sewn centrally along the back. Initially I had thought this likely a Confederate knife, but recognized the possibility that it could be a rather roughly made American blade. However, on examining the belt loop I was convinced beyond all doubt that it was indeed of Confederate manufacture. I had initially thought that the square cut tacks in the belt loop were a repair, but on closer examination discovered that it was originally made that way and no American maker would have done such a thing. Its scabbard is strong and supple. There are indents for toe pins, but it looks as if it never had a toe on it.

When I owned this many years ago, the knife’s scabbard had an inked inventory number on the reverse from a museum collection and William Turner’s Collection number is painted on the ricasso of the blade. Since then, someone with little or no sense removed them.

It’s a solid and beautiful knife.

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