Geronimo's Bowie Knife and Sheath

A

Alex p. Schorsc

Joined
Feb 18, 2003
Messages
496
I am a great fan of Geronimo and Bowie knives. I recently discovered that Geronimo , when he was captured, had some really top-notch weapons on his person at the time. These included a customized Sheffield bowie with a sheath with silver hardware and a Colt revolver with ivory handle slabs. The official inventory I copy here:

"When Geronimo surrendered he had in his possession a Winchester Model 1876 lever-action rifle with a silver-washed barrel and receiver, bearing Serial Number 109450. It is on display at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. Additionally he had a Colt Single Action Army revolver with a nickel finish and ivory stocks bearing the serial number 89524 and a Sheffield Bowie knife with a dagger type of blade and stag handle made by George Wostenholm in an elaborate silver-studded holster and cartridge belt. The revolver, rig, and knife are on display at the Fort Sill museum."

I would like to know if any forumites might have seen a picture of the afore-mentioned Bowie knife which is at Fort Sills, OK. I would greatly appreciate it if someone could post a photo of the knife here or post a link to a photo from the Fort Sills exhibition.

Geronimo was the epitome of a warrior and it's nice to know that he carried a Bowie. It is said that his knife had a "dagger point" - do any of you folks think it was modified?

Researching Bowie history is a difficult task, but it is exciting. Thanks in advance to anyone who can help. Chers, Alex.
 
Alex,
There are photos of Geronimo's Colt and bowie in Time lifes book the great chiefs.The book was originaly publishied back in the 70's I believe.

Mike
 
Alex the pics of Geronimo's Colt and knife were part of the reason I bought the book when I was like 11 years old. I still have it on my bookshelf and was just looking at that pic the other day. I have done a lot of studying on native americans. I am part Hunkpappa Sioux so it was always away for me to find out information on my ancestors.

Best of luck,

Mike
 
Wow, I didn't know that. I live about 30 miles from Lawton(which is the city Ft, Sill is in)
next time I'm over there going to the commissary
I may have to stop in the museum and take a look. If it's allowed I'll take some pics and post them.:thumbup:
 
geronimo's gear, including his knife, pistols and concho-studded rig, were featured in an issue of Guns of the Old West magazine not long ago. i'll see if i can get some good scans of it this evening.
 
sorry. scanner's on the fritz, so y'all get crappy webcam shots. :)

Photo12.jpg

there's the original. sorry for the flip, it's the webcam. the article describes the knife as a george westenholm spear-point bowie.

Photo13.jpg

this here's a copy of geronimo's made gear by chisholm's trail leather.

here's the replica on chisholm's website, and a link to the site's knife page.

http://www.westernleatherholster.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Geronimos-knife-and-sheath.jpg

http://www.westernleatherholster.com/cowboy-knives-leather-knife-sheaths-bowie-knives/

hope this helps. :)
 
Thanks you guys. That Bowie looks pretty small - the blade must be about 6 to 6 1/2 inched long. I don't know if I would call that a Bowie. Looks similar to a dagger. Thanks for the photos. I would say that his gear was definately custom and must of cost a pretty penny. I wonder if he had the sheath and holster rig made or if it was loot from a raid?
 
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