This knife came out of an old home in New London, Virginia. The old man who I got it from told me it was said to have been made prior to the Revolutionary War in New London.
New London was formed in about 1760 and was the county seat for Bedford County before Campbell was formed in 1781; when new county seats were created for both counties. Bedford courthouse moved to Liberty (now Bedford).
During the Revolutionary War there was a military magazine and several workshops for repairing arms. New London served as the Armory for the newly formed United States of America until around 1800, when it was moved to Harper's Ferry, Virginia (Now WV).
I have a flintlock and use a handmade knife when loading it. I can only imagine this knife being used by a Patriot in the 1770's.
Any help you can give me on this knife will be very helpful. The acorn symbols on the handle are said to be of the American colonial period.
I believe the silver-colored metal on the handles are either silver or pewter. The old man kept them clean along with the blade. The part of the blade that is beneath the handle has corrosion on it which has pushed the handle outwards on both sides.
Thank you. Robert Ricketts - Forest, Virginia
New London was formed in about 1760 and was the county seat for Bedford County before Campbell was formed in 1781; when new county seats were created for both counties. Bedford courthouse moved to Liberty (now Bedford).
During the Revolutionary War there was a military magazine and several workshops for repairing arms. New London served as the Armory for the newly formed United States of America until around 1800, when it was moved to Harper's Ferry, Virginia (Now WV).
I have a flintlock and use a handmade knife when loading it. I can only imagine this knife being used by a Patriot in the 1770's.
Any help you can give me on this knife will be very helpful. The acorn symbols on the handle are said to be of the American colonial period.
I believe the silver-colored metal on the handles are either silver or pewter. The old man kept them clean along with the blade. The part of the blade that is beneath the handle has corrosion on it which has pushed the handle outwards on both sides.
Thank you. Robert Ricketts - Forest, Virginia