5082

RARE CONFEDERATE "T.L. PRUETT" PRATTVILLE

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:7,500.00 USD Estimated At:15,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
RARE CONFEDERATE  T.L. PRUETT  PRATTVILLE
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ALABAMA BOWIE KNIFE. This is a fine example of Confederate D-Guard bowie knife stamped on guard "T.L. PRUETT. MAKER. PRATTVILLE ALA" There are about 10 of these knives known. 16.75" blade, meaty .3" thick, and 1.75" wide at ricasso. The 2012 text "CONFEDERATE BOWIE KNIVES" states"T.L Pruett produced what are now the most well known of all Southern-identified blacksmith-made knives. An expert craftsman by any standard, his heavy classically Confederate D-guard knives were well made in fit and finish. The 1860 Autauga County, Alabama, census lists him as a 'blacksmith' in the town of Prattville. Like many other skilled craftsman, Pruett put his expertise to work for the war effort. The Bowie knives that he made for the local Autuaga Guards (Cook, 24th Alabama Inf.) were described in this note, which ran in the Richmond Dispatch of September 18, 1861: 'A formidable weapon: We were shown yesterday a knife, manufactured by Mr. Pruett, of Prattville which is the most formidable looking weapon in the shape of a knife we have seen yet. The Arkansas toothpick is left completely in the shade. The blade of the new one we saw was nineteen inches in length, and weighed two and one half pounds. It seemed to be of good steel, and appeared powerful enough to divide a Yankee completely. Mr. P. had just furnished one hundred of these knives to Capt. Faulkner's company of Autauga, will be ready to supply as many more as may be needed--Montgomery Advertiser'. Carried from the Montgomery Advertiser, the blade length was exaggerated, as most Pruett knives have closer to a 17-inch blade. All Pruett knives are distinct and nearly identical with about ten examples extant. Large, sturdy and heavy, the 17-inch single-edged blade has a 3-inch sharpened false-edge to form a spear point. Two wrought iron seamed ferrules border and oval hardwood grip. The wrought iron guard is thick and heavy with a spoon-shaped quillon. The tang is peened at the rear and finished flat. Each guard is marked along the outside, 'T.L. Pruett. Maker. Prattville Ala.' using single letter dies. Pruett knives are among the only three or four legitimately marked Confederate knives using single letter stamps."UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: small file of research. CONDITION: "as found" in very good overall, iron patina, staining & pitting, old sharpening, good point, markings discernible, long hairline crack in oak grip. PROVENANCE: Greene Museum of Southern History; James Julia Auction, lot 3281 Oct. 9, 2014; David Berenson estate collection. (02-27299/JS). $15,000-20,000.