Hello Marks!!!
As well noted by Capn Mark, the North Carolina mystique does play well to this unique example, and the notes on the profound immigration of Highland Scots into North Carolina in 1730s is important. I wondered why would North Carolina have such a distinct draw over other areas for these Scots, and it seems that there were land or bounty incentives offered by governors to bring in these settlers. This was quite appealing to Scots dealing with the infamous 'Highland Clearances' of the 18th c.
This notable population of Scottish Highland origin would certainly seem to bring forth characteristic arms and traditions accordingly.
In "Scottish Swords and Dirks" (John Wallace, 1970) there are numerous examples of Scottish knives and dirks, indeed all with these 'wedge' profiled blades, of course of varying lengths. While some are fullered, there are others without fullering, which would seem in line with a short knife like this.
I would say the suggestion that this may well be an early knife of these profoundly Scottish regions, quite possibly North Carolina but equally to other areas so populated from these early Scottish settlers. ...most plausible.
The hilting using bone or horn as here was of course a typical case with the weapons hilted and repurposed in American frontiers, and through the 18th century, well, through the 19th. Indian knives often used stag horn etc. but these 'wedge' type blades would not seem to have been as popular with respect to the utility use. ....that assumption of course might be wrong.
Traditional knives like this of course would have prevailed well into Civil War as noted. Great knife! Lots of potential !!!!
Best,
Jim
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