A Brazilian (Navy) Dirk for comments

[fernando]

Not such an antique weapon, but still interesting ... for the price.
The blade and scabbard with the Brazilian Empire (1822) Coat of of Arms.
The ivory grip severely damaged; obviously not result of combat but most certainly some smart ... used it as chisel, by the way it was cracked an stuck into the ferrule which, together with the little guard, make a beautiful duo. I have managed to release it back to its virtual position, using miraculous WD40. The pommel cap is missing; nothing to do about it, specially being the decorative atypical type to screw around the grip top, not the tang.
However the local silver (and not only) smith says he could 'implant' some ivory in the major missing part.
What do you guys say i should do; leave it as it is or take it to the beauty parlor ?


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[Will M]

I would clean up the blade but preserve the contrast in the etched areas so the designs are more easily seen. For the grip you can display the one side that looks fine or do the repair since it shows the internal tang.
Either way it's a nice piece.

[fernando]

Thank you so much, Will.
I will ponder on both solutions.

[Sajen]

Hello Fernando,

I would let it restore and give it back it's former glory.

Regards,
Detlef

[M ELEY]

Normally, I'm not for restoring, but it wouldn't take too much to bring this fine midshipman's dress dirk back to form. I'd clean up the blade and use epoxy to stabilize the grip. Unless I could find an authentic pommel from the period, I'd leave it be. Nice piece, 'Nando!'

[fernando]

Well, i think it compensated having it going to have some embellishment applied; two patches of ivory and a pommel cap in golden silver.
The blade was polished once more, providing some more visibility of the superficial 'Solingen type' engraving. Only that now we can discern some lettering, which i can't decipher, anyhow; perhaps the ship's name or the Navy school. If ever anyone here knows what it says ...


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