Dirk.

[Alexander]

Dear friends. I would like to learn as much as possible the information on it Dirk. Especially interests its ornaments on an edge.
Respect, Alexander.

[Gavin Nugent]

Hi Alexander,

Not my interest or knowledge base but a shame this has gone unanswered.
At face value I would suggest a European influenced Ottoman/Balkin regions Naval dirk.

I hope others chime in.

Gav

[Jim McDougall]

Hi Alexander,
Im with Gav in regrets that no answers have come in on this, but I very much agree in his assessments of European influence and Ottoman associations. I am inclined to go toward North Africa though, as somehow the blade on this reminds me of a koummya, and high relief silvered scabbard is also mindful of these despite not having the typical turnback at the tip.

The cosmological symbols of course recall the prevalent use of these on European blades of the 18th century and which became well known on the broadsword blades of North Africa, particularly the kaskara.

The curved naval dirk while attractive for dress, was not especially favored for combat (Gilkerson p.115, Annis & May, p.75-76) and most naval dirks were straight bladed for the thrust.

I would think this nice example to have been made probably by outfitters in either Algiers or Egypt around turn of the century for British or French officers as a dress item. The bluing and gilt wash on the motif of course would have been intended to appeal to officers in accord with sabres of the time and thier decoration. I am curious as to what the pommel must have been.

All best regards,
Jim

[fernando]

May i dare suggest ...
The scabbard is not original to the blade ? :o
... And the handle ... i wonder :o

[Alexander]

Dear friends. Thanks for the information.
Respect, Alexander.

[Dmitry]

The blade is very good, late 1700s-early 1800s. The rest is a strewn together mish-mash. The sheath was put together from two pieces of a yataghan scabbard.