RARE 1840s Antique Sheffield Bowie Knife - Palo Alto Mexican-American War Etched for Sale

RARE 1840s Antique Sheffield Bowie Knife - Palo Alto Mexican-American War Etched For Sale

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RARE 1840s Antique Sheffield Bowie Knife - Palo Alto Mexican-American War Etched:
$2600.00

ITEM OVERVIEW
• Up for sale is this magnificent, museum-quality mid-19th-century antique Sheffield Bowie Knife with deep historical ties to the Mexican-American War (circa 1846–1850). Crafted by renowned maker William Nicholson of Sheffield, England, this piece features a breathtaking patriotic etched blade with original gold-wash highlights, celebrating the historic Battle of Palo Alto (May 8, 1846). Likely presented as an officer’s ceremonial dress weapon, this rare survivor comes complete with its original gilt-tooled scabbard. (High-grade Sheffield patriotic Bowies with intact gold wash and original scabbards are among the most fiercely sought-after pieces in American militaria and Western history collecting.)

KEY FEATURES & SPECIFICATIONS
• Maker: William Nicholson, Sheffield, England (Stamped "WM NICHOLSON / SHEFFIELD" on the ricasso)
• Era / Date: Circa 1846–1850
• Blade Style: Single-edged steel clip-point Bowie blade
• Etching Details: High-grade frosted and gold-washed etched panel featuring an American Eagle, patriotic flags, military cannons, "E PLURIBUS UNUM", and battle banners reading "PALO ALTO"
• Hilt Assembly: Embossed nickel silver handle with relief scroll patterns and an integrated double-recurved crossguard
• Scabbard: Original red leather/paper-wrapped scabbard with gilt-tooled scroll embellishments and nickel silver throat and tip fittings

CONDITION REPORT
Overall Condition: Good to Very Good for a 175+ year-old historical artifact.
• Blade: Good to Very Good. Etched panel retains substantial original gilding and sharp detail visibility. Normal age patina and minor micro-pitting; small edge flea-bites along the clip point.
• Hilt: Good overall with light surface tarnish on the nickel silver. Minor looseness/separation where the tang enters the handle due to expected age-related deterioration of the original packing material at the guard junction.
• Scabbard: Fair to Good. Original gilt tooling remains vivid. Body displays leather loss and structural edge wear consistent with age, but nickel fittings remain intact and secure.

SHIPPING & HANDLING
• Flat Rate Buyer Shipping: $15.00
• Handling: Packaged with extreme care and shipped securely with tracking.

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