Dutch Naval Dirk. Comment and help
 

Hi all,
This one came to me through an intermediary from the original owners family in holland.
It is in super condition and appears to a protective coating on the blade (some very light varnish) also possibly on the scabbard and metal parts too.
I've had several things from this family collection and they are often varnished or heavily greased.
The vranish had protected it though.
Sadly the ivory hilt has one ugly age crack and one not so bad.
The pommel doesn't seem to screw off so I guess it's peened.
I've got a little piece of a broken antique ivory ornament that I could grind into dust to fill the crack but what to mix it with?
What would you guys do?
Anyone know anything about these dirks?
I was given a date of 1900, is that about right?
No maker or retailer etched onto the blade, the usual form of design starts immediately with no room for a cartouche.

Hi Gene,

IMO the scabbard, peened pommel, and use of ivory on your M1888 naval cadet & midshipman's dagger are all consistent with a production date well before WWII, likely no later than WWI or slightly before (my best guess), and possibly from as early as the turn of the century... A nice example, even with the checking in the ivory... :)

Cheers,

Chris

Brilliant! Thanks Chris.
Noce to know that the timeframe I was given could be correct.

What would you do about that crack then?

Best
Gene

Nothing. You will only make it worse, because you won't be able to match the color, finish and texture of the handle with whatever filler material you will use. A professional restorer should be consulted, although I would just leave it be.
Numbers on the guard indicate it was issued to a graduating cadet. It's a Model 1880. Imho your dirk dates comfortably into the 20th c.
Just a guess - the tulip at the ricasso may indicate Dutch manufacture as opposed to the German.

Sorry Dimitri, but i don't see a tulip. If it should indicate dutch manufacture a tulip looks different.

*

Sorry Dimitri, but that is not a tulip.

But, more interesting is the name. W. Vervloet & son, The Hague. The factory was in the Papestraat. This factory made much for the Dutch navy. Not only daggers and sabre's but also all kind of accesoires for the uniform. The factory was founded in 1844 and excisted till 1930.

Thanks for the help gentlemen.
The example Dmitry shows isn't mine although they have similar designs of etching, mine doesn't have a retailer.

I stand myself corrected. The stylized tulip flower [and I still believe it's a tulip] is also present on the German-made Dutch dirks, and has to be a part of the proprietary Dutch naval dirk blade decoration.