Rare 1861 Dated US Navy Dahlgren Bowie Bayonet

American Civil War

12" unfullered single-edged spear point blade, 1.63" wide at ricasso. Overall length 16.625". 4.75" brass hilt mounted with a muzzle ring with cock's comb and a rearwards swept lower quillon. Flat pommel cap is unmarked, correct for these early production Dahlgren bayonets. Hilt with wood grip with finger grooves. Reverse ricasso marked AMES MFG Co/CHICOPEE and obverse is dated 1861. No other markings are present. These early delivery bayonets did not receive Daniel Reynolds inspection marks. Second style grip retention system with a screw in the mortise cut, rather than pins. Bayonet is accompanied by its original brass mourned leather scabbard. A very nice example of an early war dated Dahlgren Bayonet.

From the Lifetime Collection of Robert G. Paulsen

Very Good to Fine. Blade with some of the original bright polish, showing some light cleaning and some surface scratches and minor marks. A couple of thumbnail sized patches of surface oxidation and discoloration are present on the blade. Markings remain clear. Brass hilt with a nice, medium golden patina. Wood grip with some wear and marks. Scabbard good to very good, showing moderate wear, crazing and a moderate mount of flaked finish loss from the surface. Mounts are darkly patinated. Sticthing remains mostly tight and secure, all of the pins for the brass mounts are intact.

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The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.

Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Mr. Tim Carey

Associate Vice President, Head of Department, Arms, Armor and Militaria

[email protected]513.666.4984

Mr. Carey joined Cowan’s, a Freeman's company, in 2021 and is a 40-year veteran of the sporting arms and outdoor recreation industry. Carey joined Cowan’s from Griffin & Howe at Hudson Farms in Andover, N.J., where he was responsible for the acquisition, appraisal, and consignment of top-tier firearms consignments from important makers such as James Purdey & Sons of London, Beretta, Caesar Guerini, B. Rizzini, Bertuzzi, Renato Telo, and Anderson Wheeler.

Mr. Tim Prince

Senior Consulting Specialist, Arms, Armor & Militaria

[email protected]312 280 1212

Tim Prince has more than 30-years of experience in the field of antique and collectible arms and is a nationally recognized expert in the area of Civil War small arms. A long-time researcher and author, Tim has been a contributing author to two major books about Civil War firearms, including The English Connection: Arms, Material and Support Furnished to the Confederate States of America by Great Britain (2014) and Confederate Shotguns and Southern Agent Marked Shotguns (2017). He was also a major contributor to the recently updated Blue Book of Antique American Firearms & Values – 2nd Edition (2019) as well as the 2010 updates to the Civil War Collector's Price Guide - 12th edition. Over the last decade Tim has authored more than 50 articles on 19th century collectible and military arms, which have been published in such varied publications as Civil War News, North-South Trader, and Military Antique Collector. Since 2016 has appeared as a featured appraiser in the field of Arms & Militaria on the popular PBS television series Antiques Roadshow. He is a member of the American Society of Arms Collectors and currently serves on the board of directors of that organization. He is also a member of and formerly served on the board of directors of the Society of American Bayonet Collectors. Tim is a life member of the Ohio Valley Military Society, the Tennessee Military Collectors Association, the Alabama Military Collectors Association, is a member of the Company of Military Historians and is a member of numerous other colleting groups and societies. He is the owner of College Hill Arsenal, a web based antique and collectible arms retail web site, specializing in the American Civil War and related military items. Tim has engaged in the business of buying, selling, researching, and appraising antique and collectible arms and associated military items for some three decades. Since 2016 he has also served as a senior Consulting Specialist in the field of Arms, Armor & Militaria for Cowan’s Auctions, a Freeman's Company.

Arms, Armor and Militaria

Rare 1861 Dated US Navy Dahlgren Bowie Bayonet

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