British Naval Dirk.

Alexander · 28th September 2010, 07:25 PM

Dear friends. The naval British dirk, the period of 1786-1800 has got to me. I would like to ask your opinion.
1. Whether had this dirk model of year?
2. This London or Birmingham manufacture?
3. Whether correctly I have written a date of issue (1786-1800)?
4. From and till time it was adopted at the British fleet?
I apologize for my bad English. Respect, Alexander. (Moscow).

M ELEY · 30th September 2010, 01:01 PM

I'm no expert, so will leave the voting to those more knowledgible. I would like to say that this is an astounding naval piece, with rare fouled anchor and balled guard. From my understanding, so-called pillow pommels such as the one found on yours are closer dated to the very end of the 18th century, so dating more like 1795-1810 period. Obviously British, and as far as manufacture, hard to say. Many of the pieces attributed to Birmingham were, in fact, made in London and elsewhere, as Birmingham was the center for many merchants who bought the products off local smiths, cutlers, and craftsmen before putting their own name on the piece as if they had made it, which they had not. This was also a common practice for guns of the period. If a repair was needed, the owner would bring the gun back to the "frontman" in Birmingham, if the repair was minor he did it, if more was needed, he shipped it off to one of his vendors who repaired it and sent it back. The scabbard on yours looks very new. Is it a repair/replacement or just in immaculate condition?

Alexander · 30th September 2010, 09:34 PM

Thanks for the comment. Scabbard are old and in faultless condition.
I send a photo.

M ELEY · 1st October 2010, 07:25 AM

Beautiful example in excellent condition, Alexander. Thanks for sharing it with us (especially us naval collectors-

).

Mark

View Poll Results: Whether had this dirk model of year?
This London or Birmingham manufacture?	0	0%
date of issue (1786-1800)?	1	100.00%
Whether had this dirk model of year?	0	0%
Voters: 1. You may not vote on this poll

28th September 2010, 07:25 PM	#1
Alexander Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Russia, Moscow. Posts: 48	British Naval Dirk. Dear friends. The naval British dirk, the period of 1786-1800 has got to me. I would like to ask your opinion. 1. Whether had this dirk model of year? 2. This London or Birmingham manufacture? 3. Whether correctly I have written a date of issue (1786-1800)? 4. From and till time it was adopted at the British fleet? I apologize for my bad English. Respect, Alexander. (Moscow). Attached Images

30th September 2010, 01:01 PM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,066	Hello Alexander I'm no expert, so will leave the voting to those more knowledgible. I would like to say that this is an astounding naval piece, with rare fouled anchor and balled guard. From my understanding, so-called pillow pommels such as the one found on yours are closer dated to the very end of the 18th century, so dating more like 1795-1810 period. Obviously British, and as far as manufacture, hard to say. Many of the pieces attributed to Birmingham were, in fact, made in London and elsewhere, as Birmingham was the center for many merchants who bought the products off local smiths, cutlers, and craftsmen before putting their own name on the piece as if they had made it, which they had not. This was also a common practice for guns of the period. If a repair was needed, the owner would bring the gun back to the "frontman" in Birmingham, if the repair was minor he did it, if more was needed, he shipped it off to one of his vendors who repaired it and sent it back. The scabbard on yours looks very new. Is it a repair/replacement or just in immaculate condition?

30th September 2010, 09:34 PM	#3
Alexander Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Russia, Moscow. Posts: 48	Hello M ELEY Thanks for the comment. Scabbard are old and in faultless condition. I send a photo. Attached Images

1st October 2010, 07:25 AM	#4
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,066	Beautiful example in excellent condition, Alexander. Thanks for sharing it with us (especially us naval collectors- ). Mark