I picked this up a few years ago. I'm not sure when or were it was made.
The belt loop is rotted off, it left a brown ring around the handle. The makers mark is barely there, you have to use your imagination.
Any thoughts ?
Thanks, Dave

Looks to have been well made but poorly taken care of unfortunately. Lots of details in that sheath; latigo braided edge and nickel concho's. Hilt looks something like one of Rudy Ruanas' Bowie's perhaps some influence there.
You could always get it refinished, maybe not perfect and get another sheath made for it. Just my opinion and .02.

Dave, good knife! I don't know what it is, but a few
days ago I picked up my old, slightly rotten knife
and started rubbing it with polishing paste and butter.
To my surprise, action removed the upper layer of dirt,
and I found under him the name of the model

Maybe the light touch of the paste will clear the stamp
and make it a little clearer?

It does look similar to a Rudy Ruana Bowie. I'd send those pictures to the Ruana boys and see what they say. Might be a very early Rudy.

Pap

Good call Pap.

Thanks for the advice. I looked at the Ruana knives on Ebay. I don't see the same quality in this one. I may inquire anyway.
Maybe I'll be surprised.
Thanks again, Dave

In the 1960's , a Ruana knife was something of a novelty compared to a Randall, Loveless, Draper, etc., because they were crude in comparison. It was many years later that the tables turned. Rudy Ruana was recognized as a one man giant in folk art knife making. Even his crude signatures made with an engraving vibrating machine is now considered to be more valuable.

It is possible that your Bowie was before Rudy got his engraving machine and before his first stamp. Not impossible. You don't show the thickness of the blade, which might be a better indication, since Rudy tended to go thicker than thin.

Pap

A few pics of the blade thickness

Awesome find
if it could only sing
Sharpi

Hello
I need to see more photos in order to identify this bowie. Might be a really early model 33BA.
GC