This Bowie knife was made by bladesmith Henry Schively of Philadelphia. It was once owned by Elisha Kent Kane, a U.S. Navy Surgeon that fought in the Mexican American War. He saved the life of Mexican General Antonio Gaona’s son who was wounded in battle.
Kane took part in an expedition to find the whereabouts of Sir John Franklin’s Northwest Passage Expedition of 1845. The reindeer handle was made from an antler found at the graves of some of Franklin’s men.
Antler is inscribed, “Rein Deer Antler from ‘The Graves’. Blade is inscribed, “From the Winter Quarters of Sir John Franklin” on the backstrap and on the opposite side, “Wellington Channel 1845-46.”
Donor: Phil Collins Texana Collection
