Civil War Fighting Knife Identified to J.Q.A. Nutting, 53rd Massachusetts Infantry

About Auction

Live

Property of N. Flayderman & Co., Plus Selecte...

By Cowan's Auctions

Feb 21, 2017 - Feb 22, 2017

Set Reminder 2017-02-21 10:00:00 2017-02-22 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Property of N. Flayderman & Co., Plus Selected Additions https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/property-of-n-flayderman-co-plus-selected-additions-2104
Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com

View Full Catalog (290)

• Lot Description

  11.625 in. long x 1.25 in. clip point blade with long, angled 4.875 in. false edge. Approximately 17 in. in overall length with one-piece coffin shaped wood grip secured by peening the tang with a thick brass washer for support. 3.75 in. long sand cast brass guard, bent into a semi S-shaped configuration. Leather scabbard with sewn belt loop on reverse. This exact knife is pictured on p. 401 of The Bowie Knife: Unsheathing an American Legend by Norm Flayderman. Flayderman lists this as a Union bowie in his book, but his notes regarding this item state that since his book was published, these knives have been reclassified as Confederate. A nearly identical example is shown on p. 170 of Confederate Bowie Knives by Melton, Phillips & Sexton. They attribute the knife to an unknown southern factory, as a handful of nearly identical examples are known. The blade is also nearly identical to the "Black Coffin" knives depicted on the previous page, with only some minor differences in the contour of the wood grip.

  This knife has a wonderful period folk-art carving on the reverse hilt that reads: JQAN. Co. B 53d M.V.M. This carved identification refers to John Quincy Adams Nutting, who served in Company B of the 53rd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. John Nutting was a 34-year-old piano maker from Fitchburg, MA who enlisted in the 53rd Massachusetts on October 18, 1862. The 53rd was a 90-day regiment that spent most of its service in the Department of the Gulf. Their primary combat experience was during the Siege of Port Hudson as part of the XIX Corps, 3rd Division, 3rd Brigade; serving along side the 31st & 38th MA and the 156th NY. It was no doubt during this action that John Nutting acquired this Confederate knife, which he took home as a  souvenir of his service in the bayous of Louisiana. The high quality of the wood carving is exactly what would be expected from a trained piano maker who would have been a master carpenter and wood worker. Nutting was a member of GAR Post #19 (Edwin V. Summer Post) in Fitchburg, MA after the Civil War and died on August 10, 1896.

  
  
  Provenance: N. Flayderman and Co., Inc.

  Condition

  The knife is in very good to fine condition overall with a mostly dull pewter patina on the blade. There is some lightly scattered pinpricking on the blade as well as some scattered oxidized surface discoloration. The grip remains in fine condition as well with only some minor bumps, dings and mars. The deeply carved identification remains in wonderful condition. The brass guard has a deeply tarnished, uncleaned patina. The scabbard remains in good to very good condition with most of the stitching intact and tight. Most of the surface finish has flaked from the scabbard. A wonderful example of a Civil War fighting knife with a fabulous identification.
• Shipping Info

  • SHIPPING. At the request of the buyer, Cowan's will authorize the shipment of purchased items. Shipments usually occur within two weeks after payment has been received. Shipment is generally made via UPS Ground service. Unless buyer gives special instructions, the shipping method shall be at the sole discretion of Cowan's Auctions, Inc.. Cowan's is in no way responsible for the acts or omissions of independent handlers, packers or shippers of purchased items or for any loss, damage or delay from the packing or shipping of any property.

• Buyer's Premium

  • Hammer Price	Premium (%)
    $0	28.00
    $250,001	23.00
    $3,000,001	15.00