Unusual Knife with US NAVY Stamp - Anyone have the story on this one?

[knifeaholic]

I picked this knife upo last week at an outdoor antique show, as part of a lot. Initially looking at it, I saw no markings so I assumed it was a lower end Sheffield made knife.

Examining it later, I found no tang stamps, but on the back of the large blade, I found a marking that I never would have expected - US NAVY.

Has anyone ever seen one like this?

[glennbad]

Wow Steve, that's interesting. I've never seen anything quite like that. Any indication that the blade has been added? Does it fit well when with the spring when opened and closed?

Shield looks a little "odd", but not necessarily wrong.

I have no clue...

[knifeaholic]

Wow Steve, that's interesting. I've never seen anything quite like that. Any indication that the blade has been added? Does it fit well when with the spring when opened and closed?

Shield looks a little "odd", but not necessarily wrong.

I have no clue...

I'm certain that it is all original. All fits perfectly, patinas match up, etc. The shield is nickel silver in contrast to the bolters, liners, and pins, which are all iron. That combination was common on many very old knives, they would use the nickel silver for the shield only.

[Ridgegrass]

Great find. Love to know more about it. J.O'.

[just bob]

Is it in Silvey's book? If not it should be.

[knifeaholic]

Is it in Silvey's book? If not it should be.

I don't know - I don't have that book.

[edge213]

Is it in Silvey's book? If not it should be.

I don't know - I don't have that book.

I did not find it in either one of these books.

[SwedgeHead]

Been looking at a bunch of images trying to find similarities with the pattern and the bolster stripes, some indicate it may go back to civil war era but that's speculation. I assume you took a good close look at all the tangs and haven't found any other markings? nobody asked yet so I am volunteering