I have gone through my extensive reference library on Bowie’s and other period knives and the closest match thus far is this early confederate civil war knife (from pg. 201 of R L Wilson’s Steel Canvas).
It still lacks the spiral brass handle treatment and the pictured knife is about 3” longer. I am leaning towards the OP knife being a high quality field knife for wealthy but experienced outdoorsman. It’s a comfortable and solid using knife where the investment has been made in a fine grip rather than other decorative embellishments.
N2s
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