Lot 3476

Sornberger Gold Quartz Mounted San Francisco Style Dress Dagger

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Sornberger Gold Quartz Mounted San Francisco Style Dress Dagger

Estimate: $16,000 - $22,500

Starting Bid: $12,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 23, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Extraordinary Jim Sornberger, Michael Price, San Francisco Style Dress Dagger with Ornate Engraved Gold Quartz and Abalone Shell Grip and Engraved Sheath Hand made by renowned California knifemaker and engraver Jim Sornberger c. the late 20th or early 21st century, this is an extraordinary example of American craftsmanship. Sornberger has been working as a knifemaker, engraver, and jeweler since the 1970s, and he was inducted into the Cutlery Hall of Fame in 2020. Sornberger is known for his excellent craftsmanship and the elegance of his pieces, as well as specializing in pieces based on items from the era of the California Gold Rush. This particular knife is based on styles of dagger produced by the famed San Francisco maker Michael Price, who had become a top knifemaker in the city by the 1860s. Being based on San Francisco "dress knives" from the Gold Rush period, Sornberger often utilizes locally sourced California gold quartz in these pieces, as is seen on this example. It measures 9 5/8 inches overall with a 5 5/8 inch single edged blade with Sornberger's mark on the left ricasso. The grip is silver with flourishes of floral scroll engraving on the edges and panels of gold quartz inlaid on each side, both flanked by inlaid panels of beautiful abalone shell. It includes a silver plated sheath that is masterfully engraving with a cross-hatched pattern and floral scroll engraving to match the grip and has a belt loop on the back.

Manufacturer: None

Model: None

Class: Other

  • Provenance: The Robert M. Lee Collection
  • Condition: Excellent, the blade remaining bright with only the slightest handling evidence and retaining essentially all the original silver finish on the grip with a few scattered patches of aged patina and excellent gold quartz and abalone inlaid panels. The sheath is also excellent with only the slightest handling evidence. This dagger by Jim Sornberger is a stunning work of art worthy of being a generational heirloom piece!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000