CONFEDERATE FOLDING KNIFE

Civil War. Classic example of the cheap knives sold by sutlers to soldiers on both sides. South Carolina find and likely use by a Confederate soldier as a patch knife with a hunting rifle brought to war. 4 ¾” length opened. Made from a folded steel sheet forming the case, enclosing the spring and mounting the folding blade. Its basic construction had the advantage of making it very light when weight mattered. Rusted as shown. Purchased at Schindler’s Antiques, King St Charleston about 1980.