Revolutionary War vintage FASCINE / SIDE KNIFE

Description

Measuring 16 inches in total length with a stout hand forged 10 5/8-inch blade and classically designed leather grip with telltale period ‘rat-tail’ guard, this fascine knife remains in exceptional as found and untouched condition.  Popularly used by colonial troops, the fascine knife was issued to infantry, engineers and artillery as a cutting utility and side arm.  Of special interest, while this knife offers the classic characteristics identifying it as a fascine knife, it features a squared off blade so as to be carried in a belt sheath.  Such a design modification over the usual hooked blade (see: Neumann & Kravic’s -‘Collector’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution’) would clearly facilitate personal use as a side arm. Used both as a personal weapon and to construct fortifications from the freshly cut foliage, (Green saplings were bundled and bound firmly together in five-to-twelve-foot lengths, trimmed square at the ends and called fascines.  These ‘fascines’ were used with large woven tubes also fashioned from saplings and filled with earth to form breastworks for fortification. This rarely encountered Revolutionary War relic is ready for display with its heavy hand-forged iron blade, leather washer grip and rat-tail tang all remain intact and solid with desirable evidence of period field use wear.   Buy with confidence! Like all of our direct sales this item will come with a three-day inspection provision with reimbursement of item price upon return as purchased.