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VERY EARLY DAHLGREN BOWIE KNIFE BAYONET AND SCABBARD

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Admiral Dahlgren is well known for his experiments with naval ordnance. In his development of a rifle musket for the Navy he suggested a bayonet in the form of a Bowie knife in 1856, but thought its use as a bayonet secondary, envisioning it mainly as a handheld weapon for use in boarding actions. He described it as, “a short broad and stout knife of the well-known Bowie pattern, the principal use of which I designed to be in the hand in close conflict, such as boarding. In campaigning it would also serve many wants: but it may be fixed and used as a bayonet.”

This is a scarce example from the earliest production, dated 1861. The initial order of August 14, 1861, was for just 200 of these, but was expanded to 500, all of which seem to have been delivered by the end of November 1861, this was well over a year before production and delivery of the next batch and goes to show they were following Dahlgren’s initial view of their use since this was also well before delivery of the Whitneyville-Plymouth navy rifles with which they are often associated (and were ironically first issued with Collins sword bayonets.) Hickox (1992) listed the first three deliveries totaling 300, but missed deliveries on October 31 and in November, adding another 200. This also falls into Hardin’s No. 2 Variation, which like the No. 1 Variation is marked on the ricasso with the Ames company address on one side, and on the other side with only with the date “1861.” Like the No. 1 Variation, it also correctly lacks the “DR” navy inspector’s initials found on the pommels of the later deliveries.

The overall condition is very good. The blade is smooth metal, silver gray in color with only a few, thin darker gray age spots. The date is clear, as is the Ames address: “AMES MFG CO / CHICOPEE / MASS.” both showing just minor rubbing from cleaning over the years. The brass has a pleasant, mellow tone, with a few light scratches. The spring and button for the latch are there and show some blue. The interior of the mortice for the bayonet stud lead shows the head of the screw securing the grip flush with the bottom, as is correct for the No. 2 Variation. The grip has good color and surface showing just small handling scratches and dings, though on the upper left rear of the grip are four short carved notches, perhaps an attempt at a mating number or mark for a particular rifle.

This comes with its original scabbard in good condition. The brass mounts match the tone of the hilt. The pins and fastening stud are in place. The drag has a few shallow dents on the reverse. The leather has good black color with some abrasions hidden under old polish. The seam is good. The surface shows some cracking to the finish and wrinkling, more evident from the top or bottom looking at the edge than straight on, the lower half likely being flattened at some point, with wear more evident on the reverse than the face.

These have always been intriguing weapons with crossover appeal between military, naval, Civil War, and Bowie knife collectors. This one is especially desirable from the early production date, giving it plenty of chance for some very active service.  [sr] [ph:L]

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