Help Identifying a "VQ" blade marking

[Loc69]

I am researching a small collection if what was purported as pre Civil War era.
I will attach several images including a 22"
Knife with possibly a "VQ" stamped mark.
These came from a established collection, however you just never know.
The handle itself appears to be a later replacement on the marked knife.

 

[UCVRelics]

Interesting knife. I have never seen that mark on a CW blade, what does the etching on the blade say?

 

[Loc69]

The marked blade is not the one that is etched. The etched is a cutlery handled Sheffield 1860's dirk that is etched with "American's Pride/Equal Rights/Laws and Justice".