Knife find

[JackADriscoll]

I'm very certain this is a vintage repro or an incredibly skillful fake but I've always loved cutlery and I just wanted to show y'all. I got it from an auction for like $20. Its so sharp it could cut the wind.

 

[Sundance]

I like any blade like this. ...and we can spend $20. on a pizza no problem. Can you tell what is written opposite the "AT"? Looks like it ends with "xas". Sheath is a plus.

 

[Salterr]

I like any blade like this. ...and we can spend $20. on a pizza no problem. Can you tell what is written opposite the "AT"? Looks like it ends with "xas". Sheath is a plus.

Looks like it says 2TEXAS

 

[Sundance]

Yeah, I see that now. Now, however, it looks like there are more letters under the "2TE". The plot thickens. You may well be right, but what makes you think it's a repro or fake. I know many Civil War knives (particularly Confed) appear really rough.

 

[JackADriscoll]

It says 2nd Texas. I can't say 100 percent it's fake but whenever I see engravings or personalizations like that I get extra leary.

 

[Old Soldier]

It has 2 T E X A S with C A V beneath, as I read it.

 

[JackADriscoll]

Actually I concur

 

[Sundance]

Wel,l next time they're just going to have to do a better job of engraving. I still like that $20. knife.

 

[Patrick H]

I think it's a nice knife. Whether authentic or repro, I can't say, but it's still nice.

 

[Papabyrd]

Find the Confederate muster roll and see if there is a A.T. in the 2nd Texas Infantry

 

[7thWisconsin]

I´m gonna say that´s someone´s blacksmithing project rather than an authentic Confederate knife, but it´s really well executed. The handle looks nice and functional. I love the case and the adaptation for a belt loop frog. I don´t think that was made as a forgery - I think it was made by or for a reenactor back in the 60s or 70s. The initials and ¨2 Texas¨ make me think it´s reproduced because it looks like it was done with a modern engraving tool. It´s also been sharpened on both sides of the blade and the majority of the bowie knives I´ve seen are single edged. I think you got a lot of knife for $20. I´d add that to my impression just to cut cheese with it!

 

[Jim in Wisconsin]

It's sharpened like a dagger, not a knife. More for stabbing than to be used as a knife for cutting things. The letters seem to have been put in with a center punch and hammer.
Pretty nice work on the hand guard - maybe it had originally only one sharpened edge.

 

[7thWisconsin]

I think, on further reflection, that it was fashioned from a cut down heavy artillery short sword with a new handle. The sheath looks a lot like the scabbard, too. That would explain why it´s sharpened on both sides. The shoulder of the blade looks like an artillery sword too.

 

[JackADriscoll]

That's a good eye 7th. I checked a couple muster rolls online but nothing obvious. That would have been too much. It reminds me of the combat knife that really bad a looking that only ever gets used to open beef jerky.

 

[Sundance]

If you have mentioned it, I've missed it. Would you please give us some dimensions, blade length, width, grip length etc. Thanks.

 

[JackADriscoll]

Full length about 13.5 inches blade length about 8.5. width two inches even. Grip length 4.5. the more I look at it the sharpening happened after the engraving because some of the holes are cut in half

 

[7thWisconsin]

Full length about 13.5 inches blade length about 8.5. width two inches even. Grip length 4.5. the more I look at it the sharpening happened after the engraving because some of the holes are cut in half

That´s about the width of an artillery sword.

 

[Sundance]

I'm liking this dagger/knife more and more.

 

[7thWisconsin]

I know, right? I never knew I wanted one until the OP posted it. What an awesome find!

 

[Sundance]

I'd love to hear more opinions as to the authenticity and age of this knife. I know it's all speculation but I learn a lot that way.