- Joined
- Dec 8, 2019
- Messages
- 6
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I have for sale one of Phil Boguszweski's first 40 knives (a folder), purchased by my father from Phil in December of 1979. The knife is 7" OA with a 3 1/8" blade and giraffe bone scales. It has never been carried or used and has always been stored in a safe since 1979. The history of this knife is based upon my recollection of conversations about it with my dad as well as a 10 minute phone call I had with Phil in 2005. Please note that I am not a knife collector (firearms are my passion) and I am trying to recall a 40 year old memory. I welcome any and all correction or feedback to this listing. I have been the owner of the knife since 2005, when my father passed away.My father was a high end gunsmith, gun dealer and collector who specialized in double barrel shotguns. His collecting interests were eclectic. Besides double barrel shotguns, he had at one time several hundred other firearms, from handguns to rifles to shotguns. Other things he collected were gold nuggets, rare wooden boats, antique slot machines, muscle cars, antique tools, high end knives and many other valuable items. Every year, from at least 1979 until a few years before his passing, he would attend the big Reno gun show held in December. He always bought several show tables to sell or trade various firearms from his collection. In 1979 he met Phil Boguszweski who I assume had a table at the show to sell his knives? My father apparently recognized the talent of a burgeoning high end knife maker and either purchased or traded for one of Phil's first 40 folding knives. I say either purchased or traded because I don't remember which it was? My father was quite the horse trader so it could have gone either way? As previously noted, the knife is a folder with Phil's beautiful file work on the spine of the handle and blade. Deep inside the scales, on the underside of the spine, is engraved 154 CM. Additionally, on the steel body, at the bottom of the left side scale is engraved, MOD. E 001. The engravings are legible but crude. I am guessing they were done with an electric pencil engraver. Finally, on the left side of the blade, is a very professional makers mark which reads....maker (in lower case) and below that P. Boguszewski. No other marks appear on the knife. In 2005 my father unexpectedly passed away. While inventorying his several safes I came across several collectible knives including the one he was most proud of, this knife. I had not seen the knife since the 1990's and while my father had told me it was worth at least three thousand dollars, I decided to try and contact Mr. Boguszewski. In late 2005, after doing an internet search, I found his phone number and called him. We spoke for about 10 minutes. I found him to be very friendly and very humble. Phil confirmed that the knife was one of the first 40 he crafted. I asked him if the knife was a "one off" a prototype or the first one in the model E series? He said he didn't remember. After 26 years and a lot knives produced since 1979, he said he couldn't possibly remember this specific knife? When I described the scales he did say that they were giraffe bone. In any case, at the minimum, the knife is the first one made in model E. Or, it may be the only one made carrying that designation? My final question to Phil was, "what's it worth?" Phil replied, "well, if you were to put it on Ebay or advertise it with a knife company or website, you should be able to get at least a couple of thousand dollars or more for it, I think that's crazy, but I guess that's what people are willing to pay for my work?". And that was the end of our brief conversation.
As I said, the knife has been mine and in my safe the last 14 years. I take it out of his velvet pouch every few months, inspect it, wipe it down and put it away. It's a beautiful and rare knife. But I have decided it would be best appreciated by a high end collector. So I am offering it for sale for $6,500.00 US dollars which includes free shipping and insurance, by the carrier of my choosing, to anywhere in the USA. I would also be willing to cover the shipping and insurance outside of the USA, provided the rates meet my approval.
Payment to be either by wire transfer, cashiers check or personal check. Shipment will be made when payment clears the bank. For trust reference, I can provide my Ebay credentials with 100% rating for over 300 transactions, both as buyer and seller. Additionally, I can provide my Gunbroker.com credentials with a 100% rating for 43 transactions as both buyer and seller. I live in Hayden Lake, Idaho. If the buyer insists on using PayPal, the 3% fee that PayPal charges on the transaction will be added to the price. I can provide a phone number for questions to any serious buyer. 3 day inspection upon receiving. If you are unhappy with the knife, you pay the return shipping. I will refund upon receipt and satisfactory inspection of the knife.
Thank you!
Norm
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