Historic Arkansas Museum Bowie Exhibit

[gables]

I made the trip last week to the musuem and shot a bunch of images. I am selecting the best to post as I slowly process them. Some are blurry from the low light but still offer detail. Enjoy!

  James Black style reproduction made by Tim Ridge.
   
   

   
   
   
   

[gables]

 
 
 

[Lin Rhea]

Very nice photos. I look forward to seeing more.

Edited to add: The top knife photo is also a reproduction in the James Black style. Made by Tim Ridge.

The museum has two cases of reproductions that are worthy in themselves and show the current interest in historic knives of the antebellum period.

[Alexander13]

Cool thank you for sharing!

[tippit]

gables,
Thanks for taking the time & pictures with the descriptions!  That was really nice to see especially the Edwin Forest knife for me.  Those are just like my camp knives...now I can say I make Bowies too  

[kbaknife]

I was able to walk that exhibit and was in awe.
There's a Mason dagger there that just really tripped my trigger.

[gables]

Thanks Lin for the correction, I edited the first post. I hope you might catch any more mistakes or fill in some gaps. Will post more over the weekend.

[tomsm44]

Good post.  I was up there last Friday and enjoyed the bowie exhibit a lot.  If anybody has a chance, I'd recommend checking it out.  But you better hurry, I think this exhibit is moving out pretty soon if I'm not mistaken.

Matt

[gables]

I was unable to get a good photo of the cross shaped escutcheon on the back. Also see the below coffin handle.
 

The point on this coffin handle has been presumably reshaped. The long eschtcheon on this side is like the cross escutcheon on the Masonic version above (minus the cross of course). Out of all the knives there, I was most inspired by the James Black style coffins, and especially, this little deviant.
 
  This detail shows the tapered tang, raised spine and alignment of the spine with the pommel wrap.
 

[gables]

I shot more detail shots than full view. Some of the below are unattributed.
 
 
  Marks and Rees Coffin Handle, mid 1830s


 
 
 
 

[gables]

 
 

[Lin Rhea]

Fantastic photos!

[gables]

Thanks Lin. As you said, "we are all in this together," so I'll contribute where I can.

  This Will and Finck Larrge California Bowie was another favorite. 1870's to 1890's. 9.875" blade, 14.5" overall.

 
Samuel Bell Dirk. I have shots of two similar dirks but one caption below.
 
 
 
 

[gables]

Lin- You might can confirm this. I believe these two detail shots are of an unchracteristic Sam Bell Sheffield style bowie.
 
 

[D.Ellis]

Thanks for the photo tour......very cool stuff. I always liked Samuel Bell's style........hmmmmm.
Darcy  

[Lin Rhea]

Cant wait to see what you come up with Darcy. I see the wheels turning.

Yes Gabe, Bell may have not marked some of the actual style of knives that he's so known for. But he made and marked some other items including that fancy bowie (I think) and up scale table ware. In the "Bell case" is a cup that is clearly marked "S.Bell". His dirks are so clearly recognizable that they raise little question while other items would be verified further even though plainly stamped.

When all of the knives and related objects were arriving at the museum the owner insisted I look this cup over. Who am I to argue?   :rolleyes:  

     

Sorry for the sideways picture. flickr is messing with my brain again.

[gables]

This may be helpful for those interested in forging Bell Dirks.    Bell Dirk Forging 1/9

Thanks for the notes Lin. I've got a few more photos to add.

[Doug Campbell]

When my wife and I attended the AKA Show back in Feb I spent many hours over four days at the Museum. I was trying to absorb everything I could from all those fabulous knives. Must have taken over a hundred pictures. I know my wife got maybe just a tiny bit bored waiting on me...  

I saw my first couple Bell knife in person back a few years ago and was fascinated by them. They inspired this knife I posted a couple months ago but I had a Pro Pic made so thought you might like them better than my junky ones.

 

I expect there are a few more knives in my future inspired by that incredible collection in AR.

[gables]

That's a beauty Doug! I've been kicking around how to forge a square stick of 1080 into a Bell-inspired dirk.

Here are a few more from the museum.
Unattributed details.
 

 
   

[gables]