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iKC Member in Need Request #4 - Solingen Bowie

The Need

Similar to my first request, please take a look at this and the other postings I have similar to this one and share with me what you know about it. My goal is to use the information you provide to properly market and sell these knives to get a reasonable sale price while letting the buyer enjoy the full value of the piece.

Solingen Bowie – What I Think I Know to be True

This is what I believe to be true so far about this knife:

It matches an Edge Brand Bowie in all attributes except the tang stamp
Obverse tang stamp: “A.**** MP CO” over “SOLINGIN” over “Made in Germany”, where **** cannot be deciphered.
Reverse tang: “68” indicating model number
Reverse blade is acid etched “BOWIE”
Similar examples found in Internet stamped “SOLINGIN” over “Germany”

What I want to Know

Based on the bullet info above and judging the best you can from the photos, I would like to know the following:

Ideas on who the manufacturer is?
Estimate year of knife manufacture?
Are the scales stag or jigged bone?
Should I clean & polish it or leave it as is?
It’s pretty scratched up – if I clean & polish, any suggestions as to how?
What, in your opinion, is the value of the knife?
What, in your opinion, is a good sale price?

Please feel free to ask me questions, request additional photos, or whatever in order to assist you in your evaluations. Please also feel free to correct my understandings with additional facts, as I want the best info I can get to support the sale.

Thank you for your comments and assistance – it is greatly appreciated!

2 members like this

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Michael Squier on April 9, 2015 at 7:51

Not sure on the rest but dont clean ond polish it, maybe a light cleaning of crud but dont polish out the scratches. Depending on age and value too much cleaning can lower the value. By the way, what is your etsy shop adress, my wife is an etsy seller and im always browsing the shops. Id like to check it out. I wouldnt mind putting this in my collection but ill wait to see if its in my price range.

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by John McCain on April 9, 2015 at 16:29

Lars-The tang stamp reads F.A. Bower Imp.Co.- Solingen-Made in Germany- Several companies like Edge Brand and F.A. Bower imported this same knife from Solingen and stamped them with their own name- It is unknown who the actual German manufacturer was. F.A. Bower was in business from the 1950's to the 80's. These style Bowies were heavily imported in the 50's so that is the more likely vintage. The handles are stag.These were mass produced, and Levines Guide to knives lists them as Low as to value, although the knives made like this in Solingen were pretty decent quality. I would not do anything to the knife other than a light oiling and storing it separate from the sheath as that can cause further damage over time. These sell in the $50-80 range-- I would try and sell it or around $60-65 .Here is a pic of the same knife Bruce Voyles has up for auction now-http://www.jbrucevoyles.com/A74/A74%20Page%201.html Item is Lot 24-

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Permalink Reply by Lars on April 9, 2015 at 16:50

Oh Man! Just to be able to confirm it's an F.A. Bower is impressive! While I could find like-kind from Edge Brand, mine definitely does not read that on the tang stamp. Again, my gratitude for your efforts. Please file mine under "what knives should not look like", especially when compared to the mint stuff you're coming up with.

Gracias Amigo!

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Permalink Reply by Lars on April 9, 2015 at 17:10

Thanks Michael - I own all shop names on Etsy that begin with Renesans (4 total so far). The link to my wood shop ins on my profile page here at iKC.

Thank you too for the additional confirmation to NOT buff out, restore, or otherwise overhaul the knives. Point noted!

Michael Squier said:

Not sure on the rest but dont clean ond polish it, maybe a light cleaning of crud but dont polish out the scratches. Depending on age and value too much cleaning can lower the value. By the way, what is your etsy shop adress, my wife is an etsy seller and im always browsing the shops. Id like to check it out. I wouldnt mind putting this in my collection but ill wait to see if its in my price range.