Stag fitting method

[deloid]

These are three examples of vintage bowies. I can't tell if the stag meets the guard as a simple butt joint or if the stage is trimmed and fit inside the metal (like a ferrule).

thoughts?

 

[R.H.Clark]

My guess is that the stag is tapered to fit inside the ferrule.It's probably not very precision fit.It looks like the maker just let it meet the tapered shoulder wherever it fit.It's just a guess though.

 

[LRB]

What you show in the photos appear to be ferrules with the antler inside. Most often on old knives, this was done when using a hidden tang. On full tang knives the bolsters are two piece and meet with the grip scales. Very seldom if ever will you see a solid bolster butt joined to antler or bone, on old knives anyway. The ferrule, while adding to the appearance of the knife, also aids in preventing the grip from splitting or cracking in use.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Yes, those are commercial ferrules and a tapered stag crown. The taper is force fit against the ferrule. some are hand trimmed to get a neat shoulder, and some are just wedge fitted to close the gap. The quality of the knife usually tells in such fittings.

 

[deloid]

Thanks everyone.

Dean