W. BUTCHER "ARKANSAS TOOTHPICK" BOWIE KNIFE.

Circa 1830s - 1840s large Sheffield made Arkansas toothpick. Measures 14" overall with a 9" blade and a 4" sharpened false edge. Ricasso marked with the English royal cypher 'WR' and crown and 'W BUTCHER / SHEFFIELD'. Ebony scales with silver escutcheons on both sides held in place by 4 silver pins. Splay-shaped dog bone pommel with nickel silver edges and throat. Blade is acid etched with leaf, vine, and scroll design entire length with large panel (now faint) that reads "ARKANSAS TOOTHPICK". Classic "Spanish notch" forward of the ricasso. Correct sheet iron sheath is covered ion thin red Moroccan leather with German silver throat and drag. A nearly identical knife is pictured in 'The Bowie Knife: Unsheathing an American Legend', Norm Flayderman, Pg. 270, pub. 2004 and on pg. 154 of "A Sure Defense: The Bowie Knife in America" by William Worthen and Mark Zalesky, 2017. CONDITION: Very good. Blade shows some original finish with evidence of prior cleaned pitting with no nicks to edge. Blade Length: 9" Overall Length: 14"