A bowie knife by Sauerland

Matt Easton · 25th April 2013, 07:19 PM

Many thanks - Googling this maker does turn up another knife - this example is described by the dealer as probably being for the South American market - it has a similar hilt ferule/bolster, though the pommel is entirely different:

Very interesting to hear that there are machete with the same style hilt as mine.

thinreadline · 25th April 2013, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Easton

Many thanks - Googling this maker does turn up another knife - this example is described by the dealer as probably being for the South American market - it has a similar hilt ferule/bolster, though the pommel is entirely different:

Very interesting to hear that there are machete with the same style hilt as mine.

Yes I had one a few years ago but sold it. I have emailed the guy in case he still has it ... however the chances are slim as he is a dealer and probably sold it .. still , if we can trace it , it would be interesting .

M ELEY · 25th April 2013, 09:04 PM

A number of years ago, I had a bowie knife with a more traditional pattern, but S. American decoration (scenes from the Pampas, a gaucho on horseback, etc) by a distinguished English bowie maker. Turns out that many Brit and German patterns were exported to the continent for resale. This pattern is similar to a facon, I think? Search the Ethno side for the various patterns of S. Amer side knives besides the standard generic 'gaucho knife' pattern. Nice piece, BTW.

thinreadline · 26th April 2013, 05:27 PM

The dealer I sold it to has just replied to me as follows :
''Hi ,
Yes indeed I did have a knife with a similar hilt. I think it is representative of a snake and used to be commonly found on the class of machete (narrow blade, relatively short) that is referred to as a "Plantation Knife" - strong market in Brazil for cutting sugar cane, possibly dealing with snakes, and no doubt featuring in slave rebellions! Although usually rounded points, I have come across a few with clipped points Bowie style. I think yours may have been clipped after its birth, but probably during its working life.
Sauerland sounds Kraut. Big in South America!''

Matt Easton · 26th April 2013, 06:27 PM

Fantastic! Many thanks - This was the lead I needed - apparently it is a typical style of hilt used in Brazil and called a Sorocaba. So I guess mine is, as stated, made in England for the Brazilian market, but for some reason never left England:

thinreadline · 26th April 2013, 07:00 PM

Excellent Matt ... solved !

Norman McCormick · 26th April 2013, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinreadline

Excellent Matt ... solved !

Yep, nice to see a positive result

even though some numpty

went totally in the wrong direction.

Regards,
Norman.

26th April 2013, 06:27 PM	#5
Matt Easton Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, Great Britain. Posts: 53	Fantastic! Many thanks - This was the lead I needed - apparently it is a typical style of hilt used in Brazil and called a Sorocaba. So I guess mine is, as stated, made in England for the Brazilian market, but for some reason never left England: Attached Images

25th April 2013, 07:19 PM	#1
Matt Easton Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, Great Britain. Posts: 53	Many thanks - Googling this maker does turn up another knife - this example is described by the dealer as probably being for the South American market - it has a similar hilt ferule/bolster, though the pommel is entirely different: Very interesting to hear that there are machete with the same style hilt as mine.

25th April 2013, 09:04 PM	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	A number of years ago, I had a bowie knife with a more traditional pattern, but S. American decoration (scenes from the Pampas, a gaucho on horseback, etc) by a distinguished English bowie maker. Turns out that many Brit and German patterns were exported to the continent for resale. This pattern is similar to a facon, I think? Search the Ethno side for the various patterns of S. Amer side knives besides the standard generic 'gaucho knife' pattern. Nice piece, BTW.

26th April 2013, 05:27 PM	#4
thinreadline Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wirral Posts: 1,204	The dealer I sold it to has just replied to me as follows : ''Hi , Yes indeed I did have a knife with a similar hilt. I think it is representative of a snake and used to be commonly found on the class of machete (narrow blade, relatively short) that is referred to as a "Plantation Knife" - strong market in Brazil for cutting sugar cane, possibly dealing with snakes, and no doubt featuring in slave rebellions! Although usually rounded points, I have come across a few with clipped points Bowie style. I think yours may have been clipped after its birth, but probably during its working life. Sauerland sounds Kraut. Big in South America!''

26th April 2013, 07:00 PM	#6
thinreadline Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wirral Posts: 1,204	Excellent Matt ... solved !