Quirky old Shapleigh's 1843
Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2025 7:27 pm
Been wanting to share this one, its an oddity that I couldn't resist picking up.
It was described simply as a "Shapleigh's 1843 with bone handles".
Right off the bat I knew it was a custom piece someone did some serious tinkering on, but I have to say I just really like the look of it all.
Plus it is just HUGE !
First, I way over paid for what it is, but when was I going to see another, so I took it on the chin a bit but not unhappy about it at all.
It is an original Shapleigh's 1843 Hammer forged blade (butcher knife) but that's where the originality ends.
From there they modified a custom guard and installed what I think really may be faux stag handles.
This is where I can't really tell, it has a good look (the "bone" stag) but they did blend it into the blade with some sort of epoxy or coating, and I can clearly see the staining used on the handles too as it bleeds a little onto the brass pin caps. I chipped off a tiny bit to expose the underside on the hilt - still cant tell if it is a plastic or natural surface underneath.
So it's a frankenknife, but it's kind of Piratey and cool and BIG and I dig it for what it is. And the sheath is a nice fit with its age and all too.
(oh and I saved the chip so I'll be making a quick repair to that too)
Here are a bunch of pics, I'll start with what a true 1843 looks like :
Have fun! ARG !
Original Form:
It was described simply as a "Shapleigh's 1843 with bone handles".
Right off the bat I knew it was a custom piece someone did some serious tinkering on, but I have to say I just really like the look of it all.
Plus it is just HUGE !
First, I way over paid for what it is, but when was I going to see another, so I took it on the chin a bit but not unhappy about it at all.
It is an original Shapleigh's 1843 Hammer forged blade (butcher knife) but that's where the originality ends.
From there they modified a custom guard and installed what I think really may be faux stag handles.
This is where I can't really tell, it has a good look (the "bone" stag) but they did blend it into the blade with some sort of epoxy or coating, and I can clearly see the staining used on the handles too as it bleeds a little onto the brass pin caps. I chipped off a tiny bit to expose the underside on the hilt - still cant tell if it is a plastic or natural surface underneath.
So it's a frankenknife, but it's kind of Piratey and cool and BIG and I dig it for what it is. And the sheath is a nice fit with its age and all too.
(oh and I saved the chip so I'll be making a quick repair to that too)
Here are a bunch of pics, I'll start with what a true 1843 looks like :
Have fun! ARG !
Original Form:
