Old Knife Makers Mark?

dentontexas1

Cadet
Joined
Mar 13, 2025
I purchased this knife at the estate of a Civil War Collector. I need help in identifying the makers mark. Can anyone help.
Thanks in advance, I am not certain if this was a part of his collection or unrelated to the Civil War,

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This knife was not made by a professional knife smith or manufactured. The bevel edge is indistinct. The tyne is not centered. The guard is made of sheet copper. The overall profile of the blade is good.

The touch mark profile has the guard turned backwards. Somebody worked hard making this knife. They still had a lot to learn. It is a good start.
 
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Thanks for responding. One question, did the amateur knife maker stamp or etch the "knife" makers mark onto the blade?

Hard to tell in this photo. However, a punched touch mark is far more likely than etching. "Knife smith" is the term you are looking for.

This is an example of what a drop point Bowie should look like. Notice the thicker point that is less likely to break off.

This Damascus steel Bowie knife by David Roader is an example of a master knife smith's work.

*edited - copyrighted image*

Zoom in ahead of the guard is his small DR touch mark.

Link to I Forge Iron Gallery page:

 
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