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Post by leatherstocking on Apr 8, 2015 10:21:55 GMT -7
What Chuck has presented in that particular thread seems to me to be common enough from last half of 18th, throughout 19th century.
Until "Bowie" or clip point knives became popular, that style of blade/knife could have been fancy or plain depending mostly on the handle and construction. I personally would choose to go somewhat simple......a simple knife could have also been a prized possession because of it's sentimental value or usefulness. A wood handled knife suddenly becomes "in my mind" a more prized possession with the addition of bone, antler, horn or especially ivory handle.......but the style remains "simple" or "common".
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Post by redrock on Apr 8, 2015 11:57:14 GMT -7
Pretty much what I had in mind, although not Damascus.  this is marketed as Hugh Glass's knife??  |
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Post by Badger on Apr 8, 2015 23:02:17 GMT -7
Where is that blade on display? Obviously not Hugh's knife so what does it say? When I enlarge it , it becomes blurry and difficult to read.
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Post by redrock on Apr 9, 2015 2:20:28 GMT -7
Found this image a couple weeks ago, was at a ny auction site, listed as Hugh Glass knife and pipe accompanied with a hand written letter (seen at the right) . I just tried to find that page again and I'm having no luck.
The letter was written in 1892 by Oroville? Says his Dad knew Hugh personally and that this is his knife and pipe. Also talks about both being period correct.
If I blow it up just right I can read it with magnifying glass.
Just found auction sale from July 19 2013
Sold for $1200.00
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Post by leatherstocking on Apr 9, 2015 13:55:25 GMT -7
I hadn't looked close enough before but the photo above looks like it was made from a "Federal Period" saber. If that's the knife you are saying was the recent purchase and had good provenance, it would be easy to make.
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Post by Badger on Apr 10, 2015 2:49:42 GMT -7
I found that auction and there are 4 photos of the "collection". I enlarged the transcription of the letter. It certainly is not anywhere close to provenance. I think calling it hearsay would be a stretch. The letter writer claims to have found these things where his father said Hugh fought the bear. First problem was that his father was not one of the men present that day. Second, the men in Hugh's party built a travois and tried to take him with them. They dragged him for 2 days until they gave up and left him with Bridger and Fitzgerald. So it would have been impossible for anyone to say "right here is where it happened". Perhaps he found these artifacts left by SOMEONE and over time began to believe they were Hugh's. Personally, I really wish they were but, as they say, 'that dog don't hunt.
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Post by redrock on Apr 10, 2015 5:43:38 GMT -7
The story that's typed is in no way accurate,
Curious who Orville dad is, and maybe Orville told the story wrong, maybe the dad was one of the party?
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Post by Badger on Apr 10, 2015 22:07:34 GMT -7
Hey Trap, Chuck? Little help here?
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Post by trapwise on Apr 11, 2015 9:48:25 GMT -7
I would not put any faith in that story. If one of the party had picked up his knife and pipe they would probably have left it with him with the rest of his stuff until his outfit was taken by Fitzgerald. Hugh was not an historical character at the time and no one would have held onto his possessions as heirloom pieces. If it was a unique knife it probably would have been returned to him when he rejoined the party at the forks of the bighorn, if it was there. Assuming that Hugh carried something more than a common trade knife, as Redrock must do, then something of Spanish/French influence similar to the one in Chucks post makes the most sense to me. IF he was carrying the same knife in 1833, which Dr. Hanson says was recognizable, it would have to have been returned to him. Dang, now I'm speculating scenarios.
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Post by Badger on Apr 11, 2015 16:23:19 GMT -7
Don't you hate the words "maybe" and "if" ? Redrock, I would build what your heart and conscience tells you to because history does not hold the answer. Best of luck.
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Post by redrock on Apr 13, 2015 6:22:39 GMT -7
Certainly appreciate all the history and direction you good folks have offered. I will do my best to represent the period.
Steve Grosvenor
Red Rock Tools
South Dakota
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Post by joshwilson on Apr 13, 2015 17:47:25 GMT -7
Another wrench in the works that I haven't heard tossed out is:
Perhaps his knife was distinguishable not by how it was made, but by someway that Glass had customized it. For instance, I can recognize my friends' trade and butcher knives by a bit of rawhide stitched around the handle, or whittlings they've done on them, or brass or copper wire wrapped around parts of the handle. Perhaps this is what tipped them off as to it being Glass' knife.
Just my .02 cents worth :-)
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Post by redrock on Jun 1, 2015 5:32:10 GMT -7
Knife is built and shiped Will be at the rendezvous in Lemmon SD Aug 27-30. Thanks again for the comments concerning this build.    |
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Post by teakmtn on Jun 1, 2015 11:19:01 GMT -7
Dang, Redrock. Does that mean we'll have to go to S.D. to look at the outcome of this conversation, your personal research and your talents? Photos please? I'm sure I'm not the only one anxious to see what you came up with.
Cheers,
Doug T.
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Post by redrock on Jun 2, 2015 14:19:12 GMT -7
Sorry, posted from my phone and there is no option to load pics?
It's on my RedRockTools facebook page just not sure how to get them on here from my phone, desktop is down right now.
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