These skinners are still made. You can get them from Dexter-Russel, Victorinox, Old Hickory, and some company in China.
So true.
Skinners like this (not the specific only use, just the name of the pattern) were made by everyone in the knife business before 1900 and nearly everyone ever since.
Russel was very famous for them.
Pins or rivets, your choice, were often offered as well. Pins were first but after the earliest days just a style choice.
Beech, rosewood or bone handles (in ascending price order), plain or checkered for grip, were offered.
So yeah, if you want to think trapper you could be right! Even though beaver trapping (the most lucrative trapping ever because of men's beaver felt hats) was long gone after 1850,
from mink to muskrat and fox trapping is still alive here and there, even now.
Of course if you want to fantasize these were used by a pork packer, you could just as easy be right too.
I remember seeing some continued production Russel a couple years ago for around $10. and thought it a bargain.
Same ol plant, same ol work, still at it.
yours Scott