Civil War Confederate Burger & Bros Knife???

ewantit

ewantit

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May 21, 2014
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54
Found a rare knife at a resale shop. Curious if it may be legit? The stamp is different than the typical “Burger & Brothers Richmond VA” stamp. Did the company change their stamp?







 
Fake.

1) Big blocky sans-serif markings on a mid 1800's knife.
2) English style grind on a southern US knife.
3) Heavy unnatural forced patina.
4) Too much of a good thing with the CSA and Skull and cross bones carved into the grip.

Knife was probably Indian starting out. Windlass catalogs a similar one now - https://www.windlass.com/product-category/swords-knives-daggers/bowie-knives/ .

Here's another fake Burger Bros stamp like yours on a Windlass "Maritime Bowie" - https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-15-4-burger-brothers-richmond-253522739 .

The original Chevalier the Windlass and fake is based on - https://www.rockislandauction.com/d...ge-chevalier-new-york-bowie-knife-with-sheath .
 
tltt said:
Fake.

1) Big blocky sans-serif markings on a mid 1800's knife.
2) English style grind on a southern US knife.
3) Heavy unnatural forced patina.
4) Too much of a good thing with the CSA and Skull and cross bones carved into the grip.

Knife was probably Indian starting out. Windlass catalogs a similar one now - https://www.windlass.com/product-category/swords-knives-daggers/bowie-knives/ .

Here's another fake Burger Bros stamp like yours on a Windlass "Maritime Bowie" - https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-15-4-burger-brothers-richmond-253522739 .

The original Chevalier the Windlass and fake is based on - https://www.rockislandauction.com/d...ge-chevalier-new-york-bowie-knife-with-sheath .
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I was very suspicious of the knife for all those things you mentioned. I found it funny when the store keeper said they had an “expert” look at it.
 
From what I have learned from watching years of Antiques Road Show and Pawn Stars, items that are thought to be of Confederate origin are widely faked.

Get a serious opinion from an expert. Get several opinions.
 
I just did some cursory research into Burger & Sons knives. All on antique auction sites. None of them had that blade shape or coffin shaped handles. I'm going with fake.
 
A number of years ago I was given a Saber. After looking it over and clicking around the internet, it seemed to be a Civil War "Model 1860 Light Cavalry Saber." Well OK, so I clicked around on e-Bay and the value seemed to vary round without reason. I wanted to document the sword for insurance purposes and took it to a recognized Houston Area authority on Militaria, "Collector's Firearms".

They examined it closely, determined it to be genuine and gave me a certificate of authenticity that formally described the item and determined it's fair market value at that time.

I would recommend that the article from the OP be authenticated in the same way.
 
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VorpelSword said:
A number of years ago I was given a Saber. After looking it over and clicking around the internet, it seemed to be a Civil War "Model 1860 Light Cavalry Saber." Well OK, so I clicked around on e-Bay and the value seemed to vary round without reason. I wanted to document the sword for insurance purposes and took it to a recognized Houston Area authority on Militaria, "Collector's Firearms".

They examined it closely, determined it to be genuine and gave me a certificate of authenticity that formally described the item and determined it's fair market value st that time.

I would recommend that the reticle from the OP be treated in the same way.
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The knife is for sale at a “resale shop”, the OP didn’t buy it, they took the pics on the store counter and are here asking about it. I doubt they’d be able to buy it, send it out, have it determined to be fake, then return it if that’s what you’re suggesting and recommending.

Honestly the best thing the OP could have done is exactly what they did, take pics and do the research. Why are you stepping in making it seem as if lifelong knife collectors here don’t know what they’re talking about??
 
My apologies to all. It seems that inflation has made my $.02 now worth much less than it used to. . . .or maybe it is age-related.

Hope everything turns out well for all parties.
 
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