Artist/Maker
C. M.
"Come Out of that Coat", Murfreesboro, Tennessee; verso: "Arkansas Toothpick": Bowie Knife
1862
Graphite on paper
Overall: 9 1/4 x 7 1/2 in. (23.5 x 19.1 cm)
Mat: 14 x 11 in. ( 35.6 x 27.9 cm )
Mat: 14 x 11 in. ( 35.6 x 27.9 cm )
James B. Wilbur Fund
1945.580.17
The Arkansas Toothpick is essentially a Bowie Knife: a heavy dagger with a pointed, straight 12-20 inch blade. The "toothpick" is balanced and weighted for throwing and can also be used for thrusting and slashing. Because of its large size, the Arkansas Toothpick is usually carried in a holster across the back. The nature of the Bowie Knife or "Arkansas toothpick" is to be heavy enough to be used as a hatchet for cutting wood, but sharp enough for shaving or combat. Its versatility had such an impact that two of Arkansas's nicknames became "The Bowie State" and "The Toothpick State".
DescriptionCivil War Drawings Collection.InscribedSigned and inscribed at lower right in graphite: "CM. / Murfreesboro -- Tenn. / Dec. 30. 1862"; at lower center: "'Come out of that coat!!'"; verso inscribed at lower center: "Arkansas-Toothpick."
ClassificationsDRAWINGS
Unidentified artist
19 September 1863
1945.580.26
Henri Lovie
6-7 April 1862
1945.580.79
Frederick B. Schell
November 23-25, 1863
1945.580.77
Arthur Lumley
September-December 1861
1945.580.20
Unidentified artist
1861-65
1945.580.73
