Smith & Wesson Texas Ranger 150th Commemorative Bowie Knife with Box and Sheath

Description

Excellent Smith & Wesson Texas Ranger 150th Commemorative Bowie Knife with walnut box and sheath. It's rare to be able to purchase the complete knife, box and sheath set together. A great Collectible.
Condition is "Used." The knife and sheath are virtually perfect; the box shows normal handling.
The Smith & Wesson Texas Ranger Bowie Knife was designed by Blackie Collins, #12998 in a series of 20,000.
In 1972 Smith & Wesson was approached by the Texas Ranger Commission to build a commemorative revolver in honor of their 150th anniversary. While attending these meetings, Roy Jenks of Smith & Wesson Collectors Association and a Smith & Wesson Historian, proposed what could be offered in the way of a commemorative handgun. At this time, the Commission was also considering the purchase of a commemorative service knife. Roy, and John Wilson, a member of the Texas Commission, developed a design, similar to an early style Texas knife, for a Bowie knife. This pattern was presented to Smith & Wesson and the Bowie knife, designed by Blackie Collins, was modified closer to the style originally used and proposed by Mr. Wilson. Smith & Wesson felt an excellent entry into the knife market would be the Texas Ranger Commemorative Bowie knife.
A package deal consisting of the Smith & Wesson Model 19 revolver and a Bowie knife was presented. The idea was accepted, production was initiated, and in 1973 Smith & Wesson announced the Texas Ranger Commemorative. Production plans called for the manufacture of 8,000 knives cased with a Smith & Wesson model 19.
In addition, 12,000 individual knives in their own presentation case were offered starting at number 8001. The Texas Ranger knife, identical to all the early Smith & Wesson knives, was produced from a forged 440 series stainless steel and handcrafted in a series of 47 different manufacturing operations. Each knife was serial numbered on the top of the blade beginning at serial number TR1 through TR20,000. Information from an excellent book. "The Knives of Smith & Wesson", by C.E. Rinke. This knife is numbered; TR12998. The Texas Ranger knife with 5.5" blade in presentation case sold new in 1972 for 0.
This is a rare set that has the walnut presentation case, the knife and sheath in the original S&W box. Most are sold with the knife in the walnut presentation case or the knife in sheath or the sheath sold separately. I have only seen the complete set a few times. The brass has an aged patina on the knife, the walnut case has minor handling marks as does the sheath but judge for yourself from the photos.
If interested, I also have an excellent 9.5" Jaguar 440 Stainless Bowie knife with sheath. This can be included in the package for a negotiated price.
Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.