Civil War Soldier’s Bone-handle Sheffield Pocketknife (SOLD,GH)

This is another great piece being offered, it is a bone-handle Civil War soldier’s pocketknife. It has one blade and in the closed position measures 3 ½” x 1”. There is some etching on one side of the bone handle, but it is worn, so I cannot make it out. There is also a marking on the blade but can’t make it out either. At the base of the blade there is a marking “Sheffield”. During the Civil War, many items came from Sheffield, England – they were known for their high-grade steel and producing high quality knives. Many items were sent to the Confederacy by blockade runners.

As I stated in my book “The Civil War Soldier – His Personal Items”, the Civil War wasn’t all fighting and marching, there was also plenty of down time, especially during the winter (see pictures). Just about every soldier had a pocketknife, and many soldiers took to whitling, usually pieces of wood or lead.

This knife is in very nice condition, everything is tight and solid. It comes in the glass top display case pictured.