Revolutionary War Soldier’s Belt Knife, ca. 1770s (SOLD)

This is another nice piece being offered, it is a Revolutionary War soldier’s Belt Knife, measuring 10 ½” x 1 ¼” and having an iron collar. There is a maker mark on the blade, but I cannot make it out being it is so worn away.

During the American Revolution, most firearms were supplied by the government, soldiers brought their own knives.  American congress, provincial assemblies, and supply officers focused on stockpiling and issuing firearms.  Iron was needed for cannon, muskets, and rifles, therefore other weapons, such as knives and swords, or necessaries, such as cooking utensils, were provided by the soldier. 

Though we have been led to believe there was a strong gun culture in America at the start of the war, a study of probate records (recordings of property ownership) indicate that less than one fifth of farmers and merchants owned a firearm.  Muskets were the military’s main priority and often supplied by the government. 

Therefore, a mixed bag of knives were used – all brought from home. In “Collector’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution”, by Neumann and Kravic, there is an example of this knife (see pictures).

This knife is in very nice condition, it has a stable shrinkage crack in the handle at the collar, but it is still tight.