1849 Ames Rifleman Knife HELP
I have a chance to buy what is claimed to be an original 1849 Ames Rifleman's Knife. It looks really correct, except for two things that bother me a bit. If anyone has really good first hand experience picking out a fake, please email me and I will email you the detailed pics of this knife. It does NOT look like the cheap copies that are obvious, this one looks good. Anyone out here who's fully knowledgeable on these? Thanks!
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You are smart to check it out carefully. I took one in trade from a dealer who told me it was a repro made in the far East. He also gave me some documentation about the very small details that are different from the originals. If I can find it I will post it.
I gave the piece to my son who has a collection of US edged weapons.0 -
The markings on this one appear just right. My concern in the handle has a reddish tint like a winchester stock and has NO dings. Cleaned, sanded restained ... possibly? Maybe replaced wood? But the steel rivits fit tight with a dirt ring and all. All the originals I have handled had brownish wood WITH dings. But darn it, it looks good. Next problem is with the scabbard. It has a pinned scabbard, not stapled, where the brass attaches to the leather. I heard a long time ago that pinned was wrong and not correct. Notice all the repos are pinned for the last 30 years! BUT, Martin and RI have both sold nice examples believed to be, and reported to be, and sold as original with pinned scabbards over the last few years. Some for big money. Collectors Firearms has one on their website right now that is low condition and (as always way way way overpriced) BUT it is no doubt original and it has a STAPLED scabbard. Could both ways be right? OR are all the pinnned scabbards going around just old fakes? They have been faking this knife for over 30 years now. Does anyone KNOW 100% FOR SURE? Can I email these pics to anyone who KNOWS 100% FOR SURE TO HELP ME OUT. THANKS. 0
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