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alex8765
5th April 2019, 03:25 PM
Hi gents,
What do you think about this small dagger? Is it possible that this is early American Naval dirk?
Scabbard and crossguard is silver and handle is mother of pearl, 7-1/4" long overall. The reason why I’m asking because this shape of scabbard and crossguard was common for 1820-1840 small American Naval dirks.
Dirks with similar scabbards and crossguards are pictured in the book "Small Arms of the Sea Services" by Robert H. Rankin (see last picture).
Thanks in advance
Alex

Hotspur
5th April 2019, 07:48 PM
Peter Tuite
US Naval Officers: Their Swords and Dirks
ISBN-10: 1931464162
ISBN-13: 978-1931464161

In this later treatise, Tuite lists both brass and unmarked silver examples as synonymous and likely American made. The dates range from the first two decades of the 19th century. He shows both brass and silver examples with engraved scabbards and both types of pommels but none in that series of plates with mother of pearl.

Cheers
GC

alex8765
8th April 2019, 03:03 PM
Thanks, I will order myself this book.
The crossguard on this dagger designed to fully cover the scabbard throat to prevent water from getting into the scabbard. So, looks like this dagger designed for the marine use. Could that be the undocumented Naval dirk?
Regards
Alex