Pocket knife experts?

[Beeps in my sleep]

I was hunting a Confederate camping site today and found this. I am afraid to clean it because of its condition. There is a mark you can see on the side of it. All wood or whatever it was is gone. This is all that remains. I am not saying it is one a confederate dropped, I know it is old, and with no marks or anything does anyone recognize this pocket knife?

 

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[SCDigginWithAK]

I have found a few of these in early 1900s sites. I believe they're early 1900s like 1910s. It may date back further.

Edit- I uploaded the wrong knife pic. Ill take one of the actual ones later

 

[Beeps in my sleep]

I have found a few of these in early 1900s sites. I believe they're early 1900s like 1910s. It may date back further. View attachment 932483 View attachment 932485

Edit- I uploaded the wrong knife pic. Ill take one of the actual ones later

Thank you! It is definitely old haha! Nothing is left but the metal. I am afraid to run it through electrolysis or clean it.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

Looks similar to a pocket knife that my father owned as a kid. His was made by the Imperial Knife Co in the 1930's, but the company started out in the early 1920's.

 

[gunsil]

There is no way to get a positive ID on your knife. It is a "common jack" knife pattern (there are many different jack knife patterns) and they were made by literally hundreds of manufacturers over the years. It was most likely dropped by a hunter or someone long after the CW, but any attempt at a positive ID of the maker or date is pure conjecture. It was a cheaper "working man's" jack because it has steel bolsters (the metal ends of the handles) whereas the more expensive knives used nickel silver bolsters as the ones others posted here have. I can't tell too well from your photos, but it looks like there is no bottom bolster, and if that's the case it is known as a "bare headed jack". The shield on the handle does not in any way help identify the knife since it is a common shield used for many years by many manufacturers. The shield on yours is known as a "federal" shield, but it doesn't refer to the Federal army.

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

soak that thing in mineral oil...or some transmission fluild...
put it in and walk away...forget it for a few weeks...that crud will fall off...then you might be able to check the tang stamp...
two blade jacks were common and popular knives