Terry,
I have seen several over the years of similar form that, from conventional wisdom, were called "naval dirks".
I don't have my copy handy, but "Swords of the sea services" may be of interest for you to look over.
Midshipmen carried small dirks as a badge of rank, but the forms were more straightforward following Anglo form.
Others that have turned up in old houses in South Louisiana had the lighter, more refined form of yours, some having their original scabbards that could also be form fitting as is yours. My feelings are that these were for the civilian market, carried for personal protection. The American and British types had scabbards that were lozenge or lenticular in cross section, bearing no precise clues of their blades.
Most of the documented Naval dirks, (American or British) I've observed had either brass or brass mounted leather scabbards, engraved and possibly gilded.
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