Antique Clip Point Bowie Knife with Stag Horn Grips by George Butler & Co. used as a WW2 Fighting Knife.

Here on offer is an antique stag horn clip point Bowie Knife by the English knife maker, George Butler & Co.

Interestingly, the lady I acquired the knife from many years ago, stated it had been used by her father, who was a British soldier serving in Burma during WW2.
I just loved the fact the knife was a “beauty” and by a great Victorian period English maker, so I gave the WW2 statement “lip service”.

I have recently got the knife out of long-term storage and whilst cleaning the leather sheath I removed an old piece of tape from the back of the loop, which revealed a makers name and date, being LEES 1941.

On closer inspection, I could see that the maker of the possibly custom-made leather sheath had used part of a WW2 leather belt as the hanging strap on the sheath.

LEES appear to have been a leather goods manufacturer supplying the British military items during WW2.

So the story of a British soldier using the knife during WW2 has some real credibility!

The knife has clearly had the original crossguard carefully removed without damaging the fine stag handle slabs, at some point in its life.

This would fit with a solider using it almost as a “FS style fighting knife” for close combat. I have seen other knifes with the crossguards either cut down or removed to avoid the knife catching on any clothing.

The knife grip also fits perfectly in the hand and would still avoid your finger running up the blade when used in combat.

Now for the knife itself;

The grip is made up from two beautiful dark coloured slabs of genuine stag horn, that are held in place on a central flat blade tang by three hand made steel pins.
Over the years the stag horn has developed a very smooth finish and nice sheen to its finish.
There is a hairline crack in the horn at the top of the reverse slab, from the top steel pin.

The original crossguard has been removed at some point in its life as explained earlier.

The Clip Point blade is made from a high quality Steel and has the maker’s logo (a key) and words;

GEORGE BUTLER & Co.
TRINITY WORKS
SHEFFIELD
ENGLAND

clearly stamped on one side of the blade.

The blade itself has a very slightly rounded tip and now has an overall greying to the finish, but it still retains a sharp cutting edge.

The dark brown leather sheath has some real age and may have been made from the original, with a more recent (1941) belt loop professionally fitted to the blade cover section?

The blade measures 6” (15.3cm) long and the knife is 9.9” (25.2`cm) in total length.

With the scabbard, it weighs 182g.

This knife clearly has a story to tell and is still a fine example of what is now a rare knife to find by this English maker, as well as a great example of a customised WW2 fighting knife!

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Deliver Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.

The responsibility lies with the customer to check with your Customs restrictions that this item can be imported into your country.

Code: 50400