Object Details
- Description
- This bowie knife was found on the battlefield of Perryville, Kentucky.
- It is claimed that the bowie knife was designed by Rezin Bowie, the brother of James Bowie, and made by blacksmith James Black. The blade, made of steel, was up to 14 inches long. Its shape enabled the cowboy or mountain man to skin or disembowel an animal. In general, the bowie is usually classified as any large knife with a clip point. It was popular from the 1840s through 1865 and used by United States troops during the Mexican War and on the frontier during the disturbances in Kansas and Missouri in the 1850s. During the Civil War, it was popular with Confederate soldiers, whose arms generally were inferior.
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- Associated Date
- 1862
- Physical Description
- steel (overall material)
- wood (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 5 in x 17 3/4 in x 1 1/2 in; 12.7 cm x 45.085 cm x 3.81 cm
- Object Name
- knife
- Other Terms
- knife; Edged Weapons; CSA, Army; Bowie
