The Arms & Equipment in the Civil War Message Board

Possible Civil War relic? (moved from GACWMB)

I apologize if this is not the correct place to discuss this type of thing. I am trying to identify a 12" solid gold knife that was found by my grandfather when he was a young boy. My father was told at one time that this knife had something to do with transporting gold out of Dahlonega by the confederate Calvary. According to what he remembers; the knives were used as a decoy to fool would-be bandits (Indians I think he said). The knives would be melted once at its destination. If this is true, there should not be many in existence.

I have attached a shot of the knife below. I have more detailed shots if it would help.

I sent a series of images to a site that claimed it would identify it, but I never received a response. I would greatly appreciate any information you can give me - even if its another tree to bark up.

-Beach