Meat Cleaver by J. Levy, New York, New York

Civil War-era meat cleaver stamped "J. Levy, 96 Vesey St., N. Y." The blade has an ornate shape with fancy cut edges, and the handle is made of layered leather rings. The blade extends the full length of the handle and is hammered over at the end. The cleaver is in excellent condition with no cracks or breaks. Jacob Kohn, a Bavarian immigrant who arrived in the 1840s, was the superintendent of a Confederate shoe factory in Montgomery before taking it over after the war. It subsequently became one of the largest factories in the South during Reconstruction.

Associated People/Businesses

• Levy, J.

Geography

• New York City

Subjects

• Civil war
• Material culture

Physical Location

Arc.MS.56, Tray 7, Well 2