Need help with figuring out how old these are

[KathyJB]

We picked up some really nice knives along with matching forks at an estate sale. The closest I can find are some items I found on the net for the forks, but mine have 4 tines and theirs had 3. They said they were civil war era. I can't find any mark on either the forks or knives. The handles are wood and the knife is made out of a metal like an Old Hickory knife, not cheap. The bottom, hilt and inlaid decorations are made out of a non-magnetic material maybe pewter? The fasteners are brass on the handles.
Does anyone here have an idea?

Thanks, Kathy

 

[lambertiana]

Those cast in place pewter bolsters were first used around 1867, so these can't be any older than that. They could be much more recent.

Ask this question in Bernard Levine's subforum, and you will probably get a much better answer.

 

[KathyJB]

I posted over there. Hope I can find out something about them.