3.675" single edged rectangular blunt tip blade with notch in spine .5" from the tip. 9" in overall length, open, including the brass swivel lanyard ring. 4.875" hilt with horn scales secured by brass screws, steel bolsters and a lanyard ring in the butt. Reverse ricasso of blade marks "MILLER BROS" and reverse of blade etched "U.S. NAVY." These rare blunt tipped knives represent the first time a non-conventional knife action was issued for use by the US military. The gravity mechanism used in the knife design was patented by W.F. Rockwell in 1885. Rockwell was the Secretary-Treasurer of Miller Brothers. The firm was founded in 1863 by brothers William and George Miller in Connecticut and they added folding pocket knives to their product line in 1870. Miller Brothers had been producing a conventional folding rope knife for naval use during the latter part of the 19th century but the "gravity knife" design provided the advantage of single hand operation when a seaman needed to cut lines in a hurry or might have his other hand occupied holding onto a rope or line. These saw issue around the time of the Spanish American War but apparently did not remain in service long and those that were issued were apparently used up in service as surviving examples are extremely rare. Miller Bothers went out of business in 1926.

Good. Blade moderately oxidized with some staining and discoloration. The blade etching remains mostly intact and is fairly clear. The stamp on the ricasso is clear and crisp. Blade with a crescent shaped nick out of the cutting edge about 1.3" from the tip. Scales with some wear. Bolsters with oxidation. Mechanism functions correctly.