The little ol' pocketknife was probably the most used cutting edge item in the Civil War. The sheer utility alone made them must carry tools. The lightweight properties made them unobtrusive.
Period correct examples show up for sale here periodically. If you're into history, whether it be Civil War history or knife history, these knives make great collectibles.
MAPPEN BROTHERS SHEFFIELD (1848-1890)--CALVARY,HORSEMAN,COACHMAN-4 1/2 INCHES CLOSED-12 BLADES TOOLS MARKED TIGHT AND SNAPS MOST -EVEN HAS A TORTISE WITH BLEEDER IN REAR OF HANDLES BESIDES...
E. M. DICKENSEN SHEFFIELD (1800's-EARLY 1900)--BOWIE-10 1/4 INCHES OVERALL LENGTH-CLIP BLADE SAME AS FULL-FINE STAG HANDLES-WITH A SHEATH FITS BUT PROBABLY NOT...
U * S EDWARD BARNES & SONS (1853-1865)--CONGRESS RECESSED FOR BLADES FOR EASY ON POCKETS-3 INCHES CLOSED-4 BLADES LONG PULLS SOME USE MAIN DEEP ETCHED "CONGRESS KNIFE" MARKED TIGHT AND...
SMALL CHANGE PURSE, I PURCHASED FROM A CIVIL WAR COLLECTION SMALL UNIFORM BUTTON OLD TIME EAGLE ON FRONT AND SCOVIXLLS ON BACK.. POSSIBLY CIVIL WAR THIS NOT SURE WHAT ERA...
B4*ANY F. WARD & CO. SHEFFIELD (1856-1883)--HORSEMAN FARRIER-3 3/4 INCHES CLOSED-8 BLADES TOOLS MARKED SOME NOT TIGHT & SHORT LIGHT SNAP MAIN DEEP ETCHED "B 4 ANY"-OLD DECENT GENUINE...
J. RODGERS HER NO. 6 N0. 6 NORFOLK ST. (1800's)--COACHMAN HORSEMAN-12 BLADES TOOLS MARKED TIGHT AND SNAP I CANT SEE THE MARK ON MAIN BLADE, PIC TWEEZERS AND TORTISE HANDLES BLEEDER BLADE ALL...