A.G. Russell Knives

The 5th Release in the Living History Collection

The Robert E. Lee bowie is the fifth release in a series of six knives honoring American people, events or locations of historical significance. The first four were: The Liberty Tree, the Alamo, the Vietnam War and Crazy Horse. Browning expects to release Dwight Eisenhower in 2009. Browning, together with American Forests, develops each knife when wood becomes available from a tree that witnessed the event. The wood for the handle of the Robert E. Lee Bowie is taken directly from a black oak on the grounds of Lee's former estate in Arlington, Virginia.

Loading rifles during the Civil War was time consuming and impossible in close combat. The Confederacy would scour battlefields for other objects that could be used as weapons, especially in close quarters. Broken swords of officers were especially prized because of the superior steel used in the blades. Soldiers would quickly turn the broken blade into a close combat "d-guard" knife, so named because of the hand guard. Gen. Robert E. Lee was no exception, and carried a "d-guard" knife he made from his own broken sword.

Browning's Robert E. Lee knife is a D-guard Bowie, modeled after an original surviving "d-guard" knife. The blade measures 8-1/2" and is hand-forged from 420 high-carbon steel with a hand guard of solid brass. The oak handle is decorated with 13 brass stars forming the familiar pattern of the Confederate battle flag, symbolizing the pride of the South. It is engraved with "First Gentleman of Virginia", and includes a certificate of authenticity. Only 1,807 knives, the year Lee was born, are being made. Made in the U. S. A.

Browning® Robert E. Lee D Handle Bowie