This is a Confederate bowie knife that was converted into a bayonet for a country rifle during the Civil War. The overall length of this southern bowie turned bayonet is 22 1/4" with a blade length of 17 1/4". The wooden grip is missing, but the ferrule used with it still remains. The iron guard is in the traditional D shape bowie knives are known for. Forged onto each end of the guard is a mount meant for use on a hexagon barrel. The forward mount is solid, with a small hole on each side of the mount. I suspect the holes were made to insert a pin to help retain the bayonet to the country rifle. The rear mount is open at the top, not sure if that was by design or the thin top part of the mount broke. The blade, along with the guard and mounts, have taken on a dark patina. The spine at the guard is 1/4", and the blade could possibly be made from a file, like so many were. There is a median ridge on both sides of the blade that runs from the guard all the way out to the tip. Whoever crafted this knife knew what he was doing. The blade is as tight to the guard as the day it was made. This exact same bowie turned bayonet was featured on the cover of the Antique Bowie Journal, issue 1 of 2016. This is a true piece of southern craftsmanship made during the American Civil War that was dual purpose!

Item # AA2926

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