Lot 427

American civil war, "California bowie" knife, made in England marked on the ricasso with "VR (Victoria rex), G. Beardshaw, Cast steel" (George Beardshaw, Sheffield), with etched blade depicting an American eagle holding a bag of $10,000, with text "A Californian ask for nothing, but what is right, and submit to nothing that is wrong", "I can dig gold from Quartz", blade in very good condition some actual wear, markings on ricasso double stamped, handguard marked with various symbols, bone handle and ornament pommel, knife dates to 1850-1865, very interesting example, rare