Can someone date my late Father's bowie knife?

[KSDeb]

Hi,
My father passed away last year and with the recent passing of my Mom, my sister and I are left with going through over 80 years of treasures.

My sister (age 62) remembers my Dad wearing a large knife on his belt when we were kids. She doesn't remember what it looked like. He used it alot back home in Virginia. In looking through his knife collection, only one looks like it may be old enough to be that knife. He may not even have that knife anymore, but we want to be sure that knife is kept, so
I am asking for help in dating the one we have. (He would have used this knife in the 1950's)

The total length of the knife is 10 & 1/2 inches. The Blade is
6 inches. It has a stag handle and the piece of metal between the blade and the handle comes out from the knife on both sides in an upward curve on one side and a downward curve on the other. The metal top piece over the stag, is not a complete circle but is longer on one side past the handle about 1/4 inch.

The blade has Original Bowie Knife stamped into it. The top of the blade on the same side as the stamping, says American Knife Co. Germany. The opposite side, also on the top of the knife blade, says Sabre Soligen 152.

It has a medium to light colored sheath with a buck deer on the front, and in the space between the slits where your belt would thread through it, it says, Made in Germany. There are 8 rivets on the blade portion of the sheath and one at the top which holds the handle in a circle of leather which snaps closed.

Also at the top and bottom of the stag handle is a ring of brown and 2 small rings of a burgandy color with a small creme color ring in between the burgandy. This may be the handle showing through as it is the same color, but not sure. (creme)

I will appreciate any information anyone can give me on the manufacturing date of this knife....

Thanks so much....
Deb

[rangerbluedog]

circa 1960-1980, according to PRICE GUIDE TO COLLECTOR KNIVES.

[robinetn]

Welcome KSDeb !

That's the best "word" picture that I have ever seen . I concur with rbd's findings . The value would be determined by the condition which can only be determined by good detailed pics . Average condition would be valued at $30-$40 in my opinion .

Bob R. (RIDGEWOOD CUTLERY)

[KSDeb]

Hi,
I just wanted to drop back in and thank you for taking the time to reply to my post. I appreciate it so very much!

I like the knife and I am going to keep it even if it isn't the "Virginia" knife.

Regards,
Deb