Any ideas on age or origin?

[helenu]

Hi everyone - I have this lovely knife and I think the exterior is bone. It has a little fixed tube at the bottom I think may be some kind of cigar piercer but looks like the filler point from a lighter and a nice blade stamped Smith. There is also a little slot in the front which I don't know had anything in it or serves any purpose. Does anyone have any ideas about these characteristics and what kind of age - I would guess mid Victorian.
Any help as always really gratefully received.

[Mumbleypeg]

Interesting knife. I can't tell you anything about it. Could the little "pipe" be for pencil lead? Just a wild guess.

Ken

[helenu]

Hi Ken that's an interesting idea. The vacant slot doesn't have anything in it as I thought it might be a propelling pencil thingy. Also the tube doesn't have a lot of depth so not sure it would be for a lead much as love that idea. It does have some minor movement to it though.

[knife7knut]

The pattern is usually referred to as a "ladies' leg knife" and I believe is made of ivory. The slot in the side I believe once held a thin piece of metal with a button attached and pushed out a pencil lead.On the very end there was a nickel silver housing similar to the one in the picture I am posting.The one I have folds into the handle. Could you post a closeup of the tang stamp? The style of lettering might help date the knife which to me looks like mid 1800's.A beautiful little knife to be sure.

[helenu]

Hi I zoomed in on it - I thought it was mid 1800s too...