Confederate D Guard Bowie

[CJBIIIa5LtArty]

I'm new to the group so if I muck up my 1st post I'll try again.

I got this D Guard Bowie from an old barn find and I'm looking for a way to either clean it up, or find out the maker's stamp. Hopefully the photos will come through. I can see a Palmetto tree on the stamp but the name(s) is/are s little too under the rust for me to read. The first photo is of the Maker's Stamp.

The stamp photo just came through WAY bigger- it's a Palmetto tree in a circle. Looks like the circle is chain links or similar. Palmetto State Armory from South Carolina?

What would you all recommend for cleaning it? Can I use a synthetic knife oil or like 000 steel wool?

Thanks to all.

 

[scooter748driver]

First, welcome from the Fort Sumter and the Fredericksburg forums.

Second, I know next to nothing about Confederate D-guards and knives despite having three of them and two books on them. That said, I am not aware of the Palmetto armory making Bowie knive (which doesn't mean they didn't). The items I have seen made by them are stamped with a palm tree and their name. This looks to be etched/scratched/electropenciled (something other than stamped).

Here is what I've seen Palmetto Armory items stamped with:

D-guards are ne of the most faked items around. Please know I am not saying that this one is fake (like I said, I know next to nothing), I am saying it's unlike anything I've seen which always gives me pause.

Hopefully others more knowledgeable than me will be along soon to comment.

For comparison, here is my "barn find" D-guard:

 

[TheRebelPatriot]

Welcome to the forum!

I hate to give bad news, but unfortunately this knife is a fantasy piece. The Palmetto Armory stamp is pretty popular amongst the fakes. I can also tell by the applied patina. It looks to be chemically aged. The handle is made from modern wood.

I have an extensive collection of Confederate relics, books, documents, weapons, photos, etc... I also have the A.P. Hill Legacy Foundation. Just so you know I'm not just making stuff up. Haha

I'll post a couple of my Confederate knives for you for comparison.

This is my Confederate D-Guard with an oil cloth wrapped handle. The only known D-Guard in existence with an oil cloth wrapped handle. Mark Zalesky of Knife Magazine originally owned this knife and he sold it to Brian Akins of Rebel Relics (the best in the business for Confederate knives). I bought it from Brian.

This is another Confederate D-Guard from my collection. It's a beautiful example with an authentication letter from Lee Hadaway.

 

[TheRebelPatriot]

I did a project on Confederate Bowie Knives, who made them, what they were made from, how much they were used in combat, etc... So if there's any other questions that you have, let me know. I also authenticate Confederate knives for people, for free.

 

[JOHN42768]

First, welcome from the Fort Sumter and the Fredericksburg forums.

Second, I know next to nothing about Confederate D-guards and knives despite having three of them and two books on them. That said, I am not aware of the Palmetto armory making Bowie knive (which doesn't mean they didn't). The items I have seen made by them are stamped with a palm tree and their name. This looks to be etched/scratched/electropenciled (something other than stamped).

Here is what I've seen Palmetto Armory items stamped with:
View attachment 541338

D-guards are ne of the most faked items around. Please know I am not saying that this one is fake (like I said, I know next to nothing), I am saying it's unlike anything I've seen which always gives me pause.

Hopefully others more knowledgeable than me will be along soon to comment.

For comparison, here is my "barn find" D-guard:
View attachment 541339
View attachment 541340

Welcome, enjoy

 

[Skilledhunter]

That stamp doesn't look like a hot stamp when forged..it looks more engraved…and conveniently not covered in rust. I don't like the patina on the blade…looks artificially aged. They don't rust like that….and if I had a dollar for every confederate knife found in an old barn story..I would be rich. Buy the knife not the story. Sorry but I believe this to be a fake. Made to deceive.