Replica of J. D. Searles Bowie

F

FullerH

Joined
Nov 25, 1998
Messages
12,632
Last Spring, Clyde Hollis of Imperial asked for suggestions for the next Historical Bowie after the run of the Iron Mistress Bowies were done. He said that the first person to suggest the one finally chosen to be the successor would win the first production model. I had suggested that he make a replica of the Henry Fowler Bowie Knife by James Daniel Searles that is in the Alamo Museum. It was presented to Fowler by Rezin Bowie as is inscribed on the scabbard. It turns out that this was the choice and the knife is now on its way to me. The pictures look really good. Take a look here: Active link to sales site deleted and help me celebrate an early Christmas or a late birthday since my 64th was 12/03/2006.
 
Hugh, that looks great. This is weird, as it was only yesterday that I was wondering if Clyde would be doing another knife.

Thanks!

Norm
 
Enough said yet?

Guys...I like the content, but you *know* you are not supposed to post active links (or stock levels, or expected delivery dates).

I probably should have dumped this into deal spotting forum but hope this is enough about it.
 
Nasty said:
Enough said yet?
Click to expand...

Yes, when you edited the first post I got it.

Nasty said:
Guys...I like the content, but you *know* you are not supposed to post active links (or stock levels, or expected delivery dates).
Click to expand...

Actually, no I didn't know that about the stock/delivery stuff.


Nasty said:
I probably should have dumped this into deal spotting forum but hope this is enough about it.
Click to expand...


Uh, sorry Nasty, just replied to a knife picture. Didn't think Hugh was "selling" anything, as like me, he has nothing to gain from it, but of course he did include a sales site and I quoted it without thinking. I'll edit my post.

Norm
 
I learned something about manufacturers' fora in all of this. I asked Nasty why site links were allowed in many, many other fora and was told that they are not paid for by the manufacturer or importer. I had never realized in the 8 years that I have been posting on BFC that the manufacturers were expected to do more than supply moderators for fora. Now I understand why they would get touchy about having the competition's sites linked to their fora. I apologize for creating a problem for the mods here.
 
No problem...thanks for taking the time to investigate and understand.
 
FullerH said:
I learned something about manufacturers' fora in all of this. I asked Nasty why site links were allowed in many, many other fora and was told that they are not paid for by the manufacturer or importer. I had never realized in the 8 years that I have been posting on BFC that the manufacturers were expected to do more than supply moderators for fora. Now I understand why they would get touchy about having the competition's sites linked to their fora. I apologize for creating a problem for the mods here.
Click to expand...

Thanks Hugh! Hey, if a guy with almost 12,000 posts can make an error, then I don't feel so bad! ;)

Norm
 
FullerH said:
Last Spring, Clyde Hollis of Imperial asked for suggestions for the next Historical Bowie after the run of the Iron Mistress Bowies were done. He said that the first person to suggest the one finally chosen to be the successor would win the first production model. I had suggested that he make a replica of the Henry Fowler Bowie Knife by James Daniel Searles that is in the Alamo Museum. It was presented to Fowler by Rezin Bowie as is inscribed on the scabbard. It turns out that this was the choice and the knife is now on its way to me. The pictures look really good. Take a look here: Active link to sales site deleted and help me celebrate an early Christmas or a late birthday since my 64th was 12/03/2006.
Click to expand...

Let's see if I can fix the problem of no pics.;)

Happy belated Birthday my friend!:thumbup: :cool: :D
 
I received the knife last night and it is far and away the best of the replicas that Clyde has done to date. The knife just feels so alive in your hand. The blade is not so thick as on the Dixie replica, but it is more than strong enough. The balance point is exactly at the front of the guard. This is not so much a chopper as the Musso Bowie or the Iron Mistress Bowie are as it is a thrusting weapon and a slicing weapon. The curious thing about the blade that doen't show in the pics is that there is a section, from the spine and for about 3/4" into the blade that retains the full thickness of the blade before the taper starts. From that point, it is a flat grind all of the way to the edge.

I had wondered at the swell in the hilt, but it makes the grip that much firmer and the checkering works very well.

The sheath is all leather with metal trim and considerably lighter than the sheaths that come with the Musso and the Iron Mistress. I much prefer it and it is very much in keeping with the historicity of the piece. I assume that the metal trim is stainless steel as it is on the Irom Mistress, but whatever it is, it is very well done. The overall image of the knife and sheath is that of something that a sophisticated gentleman would carry in a time and place where duels were common and knives were one of the prime choices before the arrival of Col. Colt's revolver.

I will try to take some pics and post them over the weekend.
 
Hugh, I would think that blank metal plate on the handle would make an ideal canvas for some engraving. Might dress it up a bit. What do you think?

Norm
 
Svashtar, they were frequently engraved on the original Bowies, including those by Searles, so your answer would be. "Yes." I would, however, study engraving styles and try to match what was used at the time.
 
FullerH said:
I received the knife last night and it is far and away the best of the replicas that Clyde has done to date. The knife just feels so alive in your hand. The blade is not so thick as on the Dixie replica, but it is more than strong enough. The balance point is exactly at the front of the guard. This is not so much a chopper as the Musso Bowie or the Iron Mistress Bowie are as it is a thrusting weapon and a slicing weapon. The curious thing about the blade that doen't show in the pics is that there is a section, from the spine and for about 3/4" into the blade that retains the full thickness of the blade before the taper starts. From that point, it is a flat grind all of the way to the edge.

I had wondered at the swell in the hilt, but it makes the grip that much firmer and the checkering works very well.

The sheath is all leather with metal trim and considerably lighter than the sheaths that come with the Musso and the Iron Mistress. I much prefer it and it is very much in keeping with the historicity of the piece. I assume that the metal trim is stainless steel as it is on the Irom Mistress, but whatever it is, it is very well done. The overall image of the knife and sheath is that of something that a sophisticated gentleman would carry in a time and place where duels were common and knives were one of the prime choices before the arrival of Col. Colt's revolver.

I will try to take some pics and post them over the weekend.
Click to expand...

Let us know when you get the engraving done Hugh.
Are you going to do it exactly as on the original?;)

Glad you like the knife.

Cheers,

Clyde
 
Hey Hugh,

Have you taken any pictures?

We have some nice pictures already, but I thought you were probablt going to take some pictures of the Searles Bowie I did not take.

Have a Happy New Year!

Clyde Hollis
Imperial Weapons
 
As I have said elsewhere, it is a matter of getting them in a form to be posted. Unfortunately, that means emailing them to my office computer which does not have the camera program on it, so I must take them to Ritz and have them put on a disc so that I may send them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top