Assistance in identification...Confederate Bowie and Vietnam Fighting?

[jsnedela]

I inherited these knives from my father and he was not the original owner, I don't know who was. I am the executor of his estate and attempting to determine the collector value of these two pieces. One I believe is a confederate bowie with ivory handle and the other a Vietnam era fighting knife with a Solingen blade. Unfortunately, both have some unique features that prevent me from finding a direct match online. For instance, the bowie has a curved brass hilt and no brass inlay in the handle. The fighting knife has a brass pommel and a larger than normal brass hilt with a spade emblem carved through it on the bottom and another unidentifiable on top.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Xvg3xVmsoxY34B8hVIscvWwP8lHzHAgX?usp=sharing

 

[jsnedela]

Maybe what I though was a confederate bowie is actually a Smithsonian? It isn't stamped as such though...

 

[not2sharp]

You have what are likely two really nice Randall Made Knives from the 50s or 60s. A customized model 14 and a model 12 Confederate Bowie. The Brass Back hasn't been done in many years. It is certainly worth getting good opinions on these. I would suggest upgrading to a Gold membership so we can start discussing likely values.

n2s

 

[jsnedela]

Thanks n2s, just upgraded to gold as suggest. Love to hear what you can tell me!

 

[tunefink]

What color is the stone on the Bowie? Looking at just the sheath and knife it could be from the mid 1960's into the early 1980's...... stone color could help narrow that down.

The Model #14 is from 1963-65. The large rivets at the throat are a solid date mark. The handle has been modified. The holes in and shape of the hilt are not original. The brass butt cap was also added. It was well done.

 

[jsnedela]

stone with the bowie is orange/light tan...says "Fine India - Made in USA" on it.

 

[jsnedela]

I did send pics to Randall as well and just received a reply...

"The bowie knife is actually a 12-13 Raymond Thorpe. The brass back feature was done for a number of years. This knife appears to be original. The Solingen model 14 has been reworked outside of the shop. We no longer use elephant ivory..."

 

[tunefink]

I did send pics to Randall as well and just received a reply...

"The bowie knife is actually a 12-13 Raymond Thorpe. The brass back feature was done for a number of years. This knife appears to be original. The Solingen model 14 has been reworked outside of the shop. We no longer use elephant ivory..."

The orange stone puts the knife mid70's to early 80's.

 

[Melvin-Purvis]

Now that you're Gold, post quality photos and I'll help where possible.