Quote:
Originally Posted by laEspadaAncha
Hi Gene,
While tangental to the discussion of this particular knife, I thought I'd include a photo of my own (smaller) example along with an even more diminutive navy knife. The Spanish dagger below is about the same size as your own (I'd estimate it's maybe 3/8 of an inch smaller in overall length). Next to it is a knife made under contract for the U.S. Navy in 1864-1865, which as you can see is significantly smaller than the Spanish dagger...
I'd say the moral is to never underestimate the utility of a knife of any size, whether on land or at sea! 
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Hi laEspadaAncha,
The one like mine is lovely, nice scabbard too!!!
The other one is interesting, I've seen them and ignored them, thinking them mid 20thC belt knives

What exactly was their function in the naval context?
Time for a reapraisal for me I think

Best
Gene