This very folky looking meat chopper has a lot of charm ! Usually 19th century choppers are just made from a simple looking piece of wood on the base but this maker had a very thick 1 1/2" board shaped into a very patriotic looking "Union shield" which became a popular motif during the Civil War. The iron is all hand forged and fitted together by a blacksmith and it also has the maker's mark and when he made it stamped on the back " E. HARRIS - 1881 ".......I guess he wanted to be remembered for his little masterpiece!