Alaska Civil War Dagger 1st Knife

[akivory]

On a buying trip to St Lawrence Island a drunk guy brought me some brass and forged iron spikes and rusty lance that he told me came from the remains of a whaling ship not far from the village. Another seller told me he thought the ship was sunk during the Civil War.
When I got home I was told by a friend who is a historian to read the book The Last Shot : The Incredible Story of The CSS Shenandoah and The True Conclusion of The Civil War.
This rebel raider was bought in England and spent a year sailing around the world and in the process sunk 38 Union ships. Its greatest success was when it came upon and sunk more than two dozen whaling ships the Bearing Straights. None of the parties involved knew at the time the war was over.
If you are a history buff I highly recommend this book.
From what I read it is most likely these artifacts are from the General William out of New London.
I had a friend turn down the shank of the lance and I caved the whale tail guard from hard wax and used one of the broken brass spikes to cast it using the lost wax process.
I caved the handle out of pre act walrus ivory. The base is part of a walrus skull that was harvested by a ancient Siberian Yupik hunter on the Island.
When time allows I will take it apart and touch up the fit and finish.
Its overall length is ten inches

 

[indian george]

That is really cool.:thumbup: I remember read about whaling ships that sailed from here in New Bedford being sunk during the Civil War. I believe it was a old newspaper article that they had at the Whaling Museum downtown.
The museum has a number of displays from that era and earlier.:thumbup:

 

[sharpeknives]

That is really really nice. I love pieces made from historical items. That lance has truely been reborn. Excellent work.

 

[JoshTKnives]

very nice! very cool knife! that design is really creative! I love it! and the story! that is really cool! I love war history!
sweet piece!

 

[steelshaper]

Thats darn neat. I sure would like to see more pics of it.

 

[Sam Salvati]

I saw the pictures, and the first thing that came out of my mouth was "COOOOL", very very neat!

 

[JasonSCarter]

yep that thing is way cool

 

[sunnyd]

I really love knives made from historical artifacts and I love knives made from already existing useful material. In this knife you have combined both and have come up with the makings of quite an exquisite piece. This epitomizes the 'green knife-maker' if I may be so bold.

I too would like to see additional pictures of this knife when you finish it. :thumbup: Also thanks for the tip on the book, much obliged for that. I am going to amazon right now.

Great project.. Keep up the good work!


Anthony