Knife, bowie type

Manufactured by W & S Butcher Sheffield, England
Coffin-shaped handle, with guard
c. 1850
LOA: 11 1/4"
Anonymous loan
The term Arkansas toothpick became synonymous with “bowie knife” for most of the population. Sheffield cutlers thought the addition of this term in particular added value to the knives they made to sell in the United States. But the use of the term became less popular when several states passed laws restricting the use of “bowie” knives and “Arkansas Toothpicks.” This is an early example of the bowie knife, influenced in design by James Black’s knives.