Identified Clip Point Side Knife with Scabbard
Item #: AA3050
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This is a Civil War period clip point side knife with leather scabbard identified to Captain C.E. Blunt. This exceptionally well made side knife measures 12" in length, with a 7 1/2" blade. The blade appears to be nickel plated, and still has a very high sheen to it. The edge is clean, no nicks or chips, but is not very sharp. I don't believe this knife ever had an edge put on it, probably due to the nickel plating. The exposed tang has slab antler grips attached with iron pins. The cross guard is still very tight on the tang. The blade is jeweler engrave on both sides. The obverse side reads Capt. C.E. Blunt in cursive script. The reverse side is engraved with U. S. Engrs. also in cursive script. The date of 1860 is stamped on the reverse ricasso, no other stamps are on the blade. A slight median ridge is present in this blade, with the engravings following along it. I believe that this knife was most likely presented to him by a family member when Blunt was commissioned into the US Army 1st Engineer Battalion. The leather scabbard shows plenty of honest wear, but is still very strong. There are two small areas where the leather it torn, on either side of the opening at the top. A couple of old iron staples on each side were used for repairs. The stitching on the scabbard is tight and unbroken. A belt loop was fashioned out of the scabbard itself, not stitched onto the back. The American Civil War Research Database shows Charles Edward Blunt graduating the USMA on 7 January, 1846. There is no record for what he did the next 14 years, but it shows him enlisting as a Captain on 7 January, 1860, the same year stamped on the knife. The same day he enlisted he was commissioned into the US Army 1st Engineer Battalion. This is the oldest and most decorated Engineer unit in the US Army, tracing it's lineage back to the original Company of Sappers and Miners organized at West Point, New York in 1846, the year Blunt graduated from the academy. Captain Blunt served from 7 January, 1860 until 10 January, 1887 when he retired. His last promotion is shown as Lieutenant Colonel on 7 march, 1867. This identified side knife and scabbard have survived remarkably well, and will compliment any Civil War collection. If you are an Engineer collector it's an opportunity to won a piece of real history, identified to a member of the first Company of Sappers and Miners!
Shipping Weight:
2 lbs
Item # AA3050
(Sold)
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