Half horse/ half alligator bowie

Gary Mulkey

Gary Mulkey

Joined
May 14, 2001
Messages
1,414
A common brag of the early 19th century was, "I'm half horse, half alligator and can whip any man on the river." Most accredit this phrase to Davy Crockett. :)Probably a campaign manuver and I guess that it worked as he got to congress.

Since many of the cutlers from Sheffield, England wanted their Bowie knives to look as American as possible, it wasn't long before their knives showed up with a hybred horse/alligator on the pommel.

I based this reproduction Bowie on one made by Thomas Tillotson.

TillotsonBowie_zpsef271c20.jpg


I did take the liberty of changing the style of the guard to a more traditional oval. The blade is W2. The handle scales are walrus. The escutchion is sterling and the pommel N/S.

tillotsonfull_zps4ba99902.jpg


tillotsonhandle_zps547cb06e.jpg


Once I get the sheath done I will send it off to Chuck Ward for some better photos.

Thanks for looking.

Let me know what you think.

Gary
 
Gary, that's very well done. I,ve always loved this pattern in fact I want to make one some time. I have a pair of bolsters already.
 
Thanks, guys. I've had a lot of fun recreating some of the early Bowies. I'm glad that you liked it.

Gary
 
Gary
You are really doing some nice reproductions and this one is no exception.

How did you do the pommel? Was it cast or carved? Thanks for sharing.

Brian
 
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