Can you help me identify this knife?

I inherited an unusual knife that my father purchased from an antique store in New England, where it was characterized as a flensing knife. I’m not comfortable with that characterization because the knife seems too fine to have used in that industrial environment: It seems more ceremonial than utilitarian.

The blade itself is fairly thin but has a "T" shaped back over its full length, the back tapers from 3/8” to a point to the very tip; a decorative device pivots from a mount on the butt; the sheath has a thin wood core covered in reddish leather stitched together along the left side; the sheath’s right side suffered much more wear and damage than did the left side.

I’ll sincerely appreciate any comments that you can offer.

Very respectfully,
Larry