View Full Version : Is this a navy dirk?
corrado26
6th December 2022, 05:21 PM
I have in my collection this dirk without makers or other marks. Does anybody here know what I have? Total lenght is 475 mm, blade length is 356 mm. The scabbard is black leather with brass mounts. The grip is probably made of ivory.
Will M
6th December 2022, 06:19 PM
I don't believe the grip is ivory due to the cracking and more likely bone.
Looks like a very nice piece though I don't know its origin.
Dmitry
7th December 2022, 08:52 PM
It's a British navy officers or midshipmen's dirk ca.1800, roughly Trafalgar period. A nice dirk, I am very enamored of these. This hilt style is frequently seen on dirks of that time frame. Here is one similar to it in my collection.
Jim McDougall
7th December 2022, 09:14 PM
Excellent example Dmitry, showing virtually the scallop decoration the same in the crossguard center. The openwork on the scabbard is like on a Thomas Gill M1788 officers saber, seemingly following that convention on many European hussar saber scabbards.
corrado26
8th December 2022, 07:44 AM
It's a British navy officers or midshipmen's dirk ca.1800, roughly Trafalgar period.
Thanks a lot, especially for the photo, I thought it was British but was uncertain.
Will M
8th December 2022, 07:27 PM
I'm not well versed on early dirks, seems to be a keeper! Having the scabbard is a huge plus, many are missing their scabbards especially leather ones.
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