Edward Barnes & Sons Dagger: Please Help

[eranvest]

Hello gentlemen, and thank you in advance for taking your time to lend your expertise.

My grandfather passed a few years ago, and out of curiosity I decided to look up his old knife.
I wasn't expecting much, but I saw similar knives listed for around $2,000.00 on eBay, in much worse condition.
Would any of you gents be able to help me identify this piece?

Images linked here:
http://imgur.com/a/q3HYB

Warm Regards,

[orvet]

to AAPK.

I have no expertise in that particular maker but I'm sure someone will be along here soon that does.
It's a great looking old knife and the fact that it belonged to your grandfather makes it priceless!

Welcome aboard!

[eranvest]

Thank you for the warm welcome Dale

[Paladin]

Like Dale, I know nothing about the maker but suspect someone will come along who does. I checked in Levine's IV and he shows collectibility as high. He is seldom wrong.
Welcome to the friendly forum.

Ray

[btrwtr]

Welcome to AAPK

Can you tell us the blade length and overall length of your knife? Size does matter.

Sheffield England made knife dating c. 1853-1865 according to Goin's book and c. 1833-1888 according to Levine'g guide so very old and a period Bowie knife.

I know just enough about this type of knife to be dangerous. Your knife looks to be an original knife in great condition. Non-original sheath.

I took the liberty of copying and posting the pictures for posterity.

[eranvest]

Thank you all very much for your input. I appreciate you all taking the time

Here are some more pictures, including measurements.
Total knife appears to be about 9.5 inches with a 5.5 inch blade.

http://imgur.com/a/uIeh8

[drjayb]

I have the similar knife in my collection. Pearl with the silver beading same as your knife and a large oval shield.
My blade is dagger ground and measures 5 inches long from face of guard to tip of blade.
My knife has no makers mark. it might be under the guard. I have seen this knife marked MAPPIN & CO SHEFFIELD
circa 1861-1868 Knife could also be a JOSEPH ROGERS or a IXL GEORGE WOSTENHOLM.
This pattern of knife might have had a few old English makers with the makers buying the fancy guard and pommel
and then adding their own blade.

[eranvest]

Thank you very much drjayb!

Would you by any chance be able to estimate how much a knife like this might be worth?

[LongBlade]

Nice knife and as drjayb noted the handle/pommel look familiar and were possibly used by different makers... hard to value it but a search on ebay can give you a range... original Bowies/daggers can go anywhere from a couple of hundred into the thousands pending maker, condition, size etc...

Here's my Barnes dagger (5" blade very lightly sharpened) with a full etch from the Civil war period - "American's Pride, Equal Rights, Equal Laws & Justice" - lots of fine detailed scroll work in the etch as well - estimated age of this one 1850s-early 1860s)... This dagger also does not have original sheath but a period handmade wooden sheath and most likely re-used the throat on the original scabbard (the old scabbards would get destroyed in moisture given they were a compressed cardboard like material so original scabbards in good condition can add abit to the price - many are also found with some damage and wear) - the cool thing about this sheath is that it was made of thin wooden slats and formed into an oval shape by soaking and you can see old nail work as well).... but the dagger fits perfectly with no rub...

[eranvest]

Thank you LongBlade, that is a beautiful knife.