Bowie question.

Rusty1

Rusty1

Joined
Nov 6, 2005
Messages
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Recently bought at what I thought was a good price, a Smith and Wesson 150th anniversary Texas Rangers bowie knife, It seems very similar to the Schrade Texas bowie that comes up every so often, does this knife have any connection with Schrade? I thought I read once that the knife was made by Schrade, as was a smaller version that was sold as a set, together with a Smith and Wesson revolver. Anyone know?

Rusty 1
 
Yes it was made by Schrade it is not tang marked that is because that is how Smith ordered them they did not want the Schrade tang just there etch. Which by the way is an electro etch. ( so do not plan to use this knife to much since the etch will wear off.) This is one of the reasons you will find the Schrade ( un tanged ) ( is that a word ??) anyway that is one of the reasons why you will find the unmarked Schrades around. They would electro etch them as Smith ordered them. If someone else wanted a similar issue they could simply put the electro etch that they wanted on it. Rugar did a similar thing with a stag handled PH-2 only they did not electro etch they put a rugar shield in the handle. They also left the knife untanged ( must be a word ) wanting the only identification to be the shield with there logo. Hope this helps LT.
 
There are no etched tang marks on the knife they are all stamped, I have posted a link to Cutlers cove which shows a copy of the knife I have. the thing that made me ask the question was that the blade is thinner than the later version of the Texas bowie, where the blade sweeps down from the guard on the latter version it does not on the Smith & Wesson type.

http://cutlerscove.com/bowies/smith-wesson-texas-ranger-bowie2.htm

Rusty 1
 
I believe your knife to be a Schrade. You are correct without having the reference pic ( in the ad ) I made the assumption that yours was the more common electro etched version. I have several versions of the Schrade bowie pattern and have also noticed variations on the sweep of the various issues of bowie pattern knifes. I have not checked blade thickness and right now cannot however again I believe your knife to be a Schrade Contract special issue. LT
 
Here is one of two I have. This one has a new sheath; it is now on it's way to Texas for some engraving on the brass. I still need to arrange for a bit of file work and some blade etching. Note the slight difference in the choil. It's a rock solid knife that says 'Schrade'... even though it doesn't have any tang markings. Untanged.. I like that, LT.

LT, you know anyone who does etching?

Phil.

NewJackMoshersheath.jpg
 
I know people who if they want to can do most anything however since I am the youngest of the group you can imagine how independent and cantankerous they can be. I will ask however do not get your hopes up. Sorry LT
 
LT thanks for your answers regarding my knife, most informative as always.
thanks again.

Rusty 1
 
Rusty,

LT knows his Bowie style knives. Heck, we all think he has Jim's stashed somewhere. :D

Hey Phil,

Jeff at AAPK suggested Jim Sargent for etching. Didn't know if you'd seen that.

Bill
 
Here is a custom I received a few weeks ago. I liked the makers last name. His first name was Benjamin he made knives for many years however I believe he has since past away. I always wanted one of his knives I believe this was done around the Crocadile Dundee era . Mosaic pins, ironwood handes. The amazing thing about this knife is its balance it would make a dandy thrower. However I have no plans to be throwing it. The pics do not do it justice.
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Wow, that is a knife LT! My first name is Russell, I have been tempted to buy one of the Bowies that you see around with my name on it, although the ones you see these days are surely from the far east?

Rusty 1
 
Well they say it is better to have loved and lost than never loved at all. Sometimes it seems much better. However I would rather own than moan . What I am saying is buy a good one, what the hell. You have to treat life like you had a spare in the trunk if you have never filled a flush or an inside straight it means you have never played. I promise you we will all end up in the same condition in the end.

So much for my unasked for platitudes. Just one more from a guy I knew for years who was an inveterate gambler. I have watched him win and lose fortunes in a nite. In fact they did a movie on him Stu Unger He won the world series of poker 3 times. The last time I saw him was right after the last ( Third win ) I asked him what he was going to do with the money he said that after he paid off everyone ( he owed everyone) gave some to his estranged family. He was going to rent a cheap motel room ( down town ) and finally be able to afford all the heroin he wanted he did just that and a while later he was found in that room. Anyway he used to say when betting you got to throw it in to take it out. If you want it, buy it. Here is an example of what I mean. I have attached a pic of my new mink jacket. I may croak tomorrow, but I will not die without having worn a mink jacket while going to a high stakes poker game. Frank, Stu, and some others may not have done it right but they did it there way. Piss on it Go for it Throw it in.

Sorry for the boring rheteric.
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LT
 
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