Special Purpose Knife...Help?

[1fartsmella]

Found this knife at the Salamanca Antique Mall this past weekend in a box of cigar cutters.
It's 2 1/4" closed, and stamped _ C \ D. The stamp is worn and only partially legible.
I think the handle mateiral is horn, but it could be synthetic.
When I first saw it, I thought it was a mini Hawkbill. When I opened the blade, found it has a hollow ground hooked blade.
I'm sure it has a special purpose, but I can't figure out what it could be.
I think if it was a cigar cutter it would have a cut out in the handle for a cigar.
I don't think it is a ground down hawk bill pruning blade, the knife is to small for that?
Anybody have an idea what the special purpose might be?

[cody6268]

Some kind of line cutter?

If military, in my opinion, the lanyard attachment would likely be more generous, and the blade easier to open with gloves on.

I can see this being industrial in purpose--like for clearing tangles out of spinning equipment at a yarn mill.

[Reverand]

I also thought of a twine cutter. I don't have any experience with such knives, but the blade shape and size reminds me if the twine cutter "rings" that you could wear on your fingers.
Hopefully someone else will come along with hard facts!

[Ridgegrass]

Looks like a castration tool. I have a few, It's similar to a TRUAX I own. I;ll dig it out and post pics. J.O'.

[Ridgegrass]

Here is a TEUPEL, PHILA. Razor sharp, hollow ground and polished both sides. 2-3/8" The other is a TRUAX , 2-11/16", "Rooster Nutter". J.O'.

[Gunsil]

Barry, glad to see you found an odd little goody up there! John, great that you have a similar one, I haven't seen one of these before. I am sort of wondering about it being a castrating tool as spey blades were made for that. I suspect a different use was intended.

[Ridgegrass]

I'm never 100% positive about anything, but I think its a caponizing tool, similar to this one, which also has the spey blade. The steel in mine has the "feel" of a surgical instrument, far higher quality than something made for cutting twine. Maybe some veterinarian can help us. J.O'.

[Madmarco]

I'm thinking one of those knives they use in Afghanistan to scrape the opium gum off the poppy seed after it blooms and they slit them?

[1fartsmella]

Thanks guys. I think, now that I have your input it's some kind of tailors seam cutter or string cutter. The rounded point would prevent accidental fabric cutting, perfect for opening a seam.
Keeping in mind this is only a guess. That's what makes knife collecting fun, finding old special purpose - unidentified stuff.
Thanks again.

[galvanic1882]

Whatever it was used for Barry it's a beauty!!!

[Miller Bro's]

Thanks guys. I think, now that I have your input it's some kind of tailors seam cutter or string cutter. The rounded point would prevent accidental fabric cutting, perfect for opening a seam.
Keeping in mind this is only a guess. That's what makes knife collecting fun, finding old special purpose - unidentified stuff.
Thanks again.

No it's a veterinarians surgical knife.

I have one by Sharp & Smith, metal handles. Your handles are synthetic.

[1fartsmella]

Thank You Dimitri.

[Miller Bro's]

Your welcome Barry.