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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmitry

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.

6th December 2022, 05:21 PM	#1
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,204	Is this a navy dirk? 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. Attached Images

7th December 2022, 08:52 PM	#3
Dmitry Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 607	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. Attached Images

7th December 2022, 09:14 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,940	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. Attached Images

6th December 2022, 06:19 PM	#2
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 391	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.

8th December 2022, 07:27 PM	#6
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 391	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.