Historical information

Bowie knife, presented to or ordered by Charles John Dennys. Charles John Dennys (1818-1898) arrived from England in 1842 and set up a wool-broking business in 1852 with his cousin Thomas Allen Lascelles and Edward Walton. This became Dennys, Lascelles Ltd and later Dennys, Lascelles, Austin and Co. after prominent grazier Sidney Austin joined the firm in 1881. Dennys was appointed Secretary of the District Council of Grant in 1843 and was elected to the South Barwon municipal council in 1857 ("The Bay, Barwon and Beyond", pp.12-13). The donor is the great grand daughter of Charles Dennys; she found the knife whilst cleaning out an aunt's house and has no knowledge of its provenance. Many bowie knives were exported to America from Sheffield, where a number of manufacturers began making them in the 1800s. This style of knife dates typically from the mid 1800s.

Physical description

Bowie knife made by Morton & Davis, Sheffield and owned by Charles John Dennys (1818-1898), co-founder of the woolbroking firm Dennys, Lascelles Ltd. Bowie knife made by Morton & Davis, Sheffield and owned by Charles John Dennys (1818-1898), co-founder of the woolbroking firm Dennys, Lascelles Ltd.

Inscriptions & markings

STANLEY / MORTON & DAVIS / CELEBRATED BOWIE KNIFE / SHEFFIELD ASK FOR NOTHING / BUT what is / RIGHT / SUBMIT TO NOTHING THAT IS / WRONG CHARLES JOHN DENNYS.