Fall 2023 Premier Firearms & Militaria Auction
November 3rd, 4th, 5th, & 6th, 2023
This auction will feature an outstanding collection of items spanning multiple categories including Modern, Military, Sporting, & Antique firearms & militaria! Below is just a small grouping of select highlights from the massive offering to be featured in this upcoming sale!
LARGE CONFEDERATE BOWIE MADE BY AFRICAN AMERICAN SLAVE LEWIS CRENSHAW, HOPE HULL, ALABAMA
02-19969
20.5″ overall, 15.75″ spear point blade, 2″ wide, .22″ thick, oak slab grips, original leather sheath. This knife is pictured in “THE ANTIQUE BOWIE KNIFE BOOK” by Adams & Voyles 1990 on pages 432 & 433. This knife was retained by descendants of George Washington Shackleford, Co. F, 2nd Alabama Cavalry who related the history to Roger Ballard in 1989.
There are 2 other specimens known, both pictured in “CONFEDERATE BOWIE KNIVES” 2012 on page 172, both found in central Alabama & thought made for the other Shackleford brothers by Crenshaw. Josh Phillips remarked in our coauthored text: “There is beauty in the simple lines of this knife. Nothing fancy or extra, but everything was done well with a precise fit.”
George Washington Shackleford (1827-1867), Frank (1830-1905), Joseph (1835-1902) & Madison (1838-1905) all served in same Co. F, 2nd Alabama Cavalry having enlisted together on May 1st 1862 in Montgomery AL. Both Madison and Joseph would become commissioned lieutenants. All four brothers are buried in the Shackleford cemetery near their ancestral home. This is among the very few Confederate Bowie knives with known family history as to who carried it and who made it.
