Correct knives for CS troops from Southwest Virginia

[WV_Reb]

Hello all,

I have been trying to research period photographs for any images that show what type of knives a common Confederate soldier from Southwest Virginia would have carried during the war. My impression is of a mid-war private in the 24th Virginia Infantry, with men mostly from the southwestern part of Virginia. I've been told that a standard D-guard Bowie would suffice, but I have not been able to reach a conclusion. I'm struggling with the research for this, and any advice or links to help me along would be most appreciated.

[Jimmayo]

Re: Correct knives for CS troops from Southwest Virginia

Pocket knife.

[WV_Reb]

Re: Correct knives for CS troops from Southwest Virginia

Jim,
So no Bowies needed for a Confederate soldier from Southwest Virginia? Ok thank you for your help sir!

[Huck]

Re: Correct knives for CS troops from Southwest Virginia

What Jim said, pocket knife.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Correct knives for CS troops from Southwest Virginia

Hallo!

In brief...

Bowie and large fighting knives were largely an early War fad, made worse by photographers having studio prop knives and small swords to meet demand to have one's image made as martial and menacingly fiercesome as possible.

The bowie knife craze was widespread in the 1840's and 1850's and to meet that demand American firms turned them out, numbers of British made ones were imported, and local blacksmiths pounded them out. In 1861, there was renewed interest.

By and large, the fad soon fizzled out as the bulk and weight of them proved to be a nuisance in the field and most all were discarded as useless weight in favor of a pocket or sometimes small belt or side knife that was more practical and useful than something better suited to hacking down trees.

There are limited exceptions, such as 'bowie" knives made by say Boyle & Gamble, Leech & Rigdon, Cooper Iron Works, Hodgkins & Sons, Milledgeville Armory, etc.

Still being brief... it is NUG considered a "farbism" to add a large bowie knife jewelry to one's impression especially for post 1861/62 impressions.

There are exceptions. A N-SSA pard of ours, Davey, used to prop his bayonet up with a bowie style belt knife (seven inch blade) his Confederate great-grandfather had carried through the whole War. He was often teased with comments like "You're sticking that in the GROUND?!!!!!!'

Curt

[Silas]

Re: Correct knives for CS troops from Southwest Virginia

Here's something from everyone's favorite quasi fictional soldier, Si Klegg :

[WV_Reb]

Re: Correct knives for CS troops from Southwest Virginia

Thank you all for the information, I greatly appreciate it! I originally thought Bowies were an early war thing, as it seems that soldiers from both sides brought everything but the kitchen sink in the early days of the conflict. I wanted to be sure though, since there are many photographs that picture Bowies. Thank you all again!

[Jimmayo]

Re: Correct knives for CS troops from Southwest Virginia



Once long ago my hunting buddy found three bowie knives in a virgin camp of the 57th Va. It was an early war camp and all three knives were found in hut sites. I think they were left behind on purpose because they are awkward to carry. Just saying.