Handmade folding knife

[Superdup]

Hi all, I found this piece recently on a site known for 18th and 19th century artifacts in east Baton Rouge parish, Louisiana. It's clearly hand carved and appears to be made of either bone/ivory or wood. It looks like wood but "clinks" like bone or ivory when I tap it with metal. The blade is rusted away.

Anyone ever see anything like this?

Thanks!

[Hoss]

No i have not seen a knife like that but it's a cool find. I hope someone can help.

[Ron Kelley]

That was a fancy Jackknife. I lost a bunch when I was a kid.

[Ron Kelley]

1500 to1700 according to this: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_post_medieval_iron_folding_knife_with_bone_ handle_dating_AD_1500-1700._(FindID_599741).jpg
It's not the same knife but the similarities are striking.

[Superdup]

Wow. Thanks for the great information Ron. I could tell it was old but not that old!! The knife you linked is a first cousin to the one I found by my eye. Maybe it belonged to an ancestor of an early settler, or the settler himself.

I'm going to have to research how to care for a piece like this. Should the bone be sealed with something to slow down deterioration now that it is exposed to air, etc....

[Ron Kelley]

I use Gomer's Solution on my shell and bone artifacts.

[Ron Kelley]

Gomer's Solution is one tube of Duco Cement mixed with one pint of Acetone.

[Superdup]

Just ordered... Thanks

[SGT.Digger]

https://finds.org.uk/database/search...s/q/LON-F004E6 Here’s a link that might help