Georgian Midshipman Dirk

Kmaddock · 25th August 2023, 04:32 PM

Hi All,
I just got this little fella.

Lovely Georgian Midshipman Dirk, (British Navy) in original scabbard.
I taught it was something else when I purchased it in a job lot of mixed knives but I am happy for what it is.

Seem to be a lot of variation on these but included here for reference.
Overall 27 CM with blade of 18CM.

Scabbard leather in perfect condition with brass fittings.

Grip is ivory or bone and again in v good condition and nicely coloured, gilding remains on the brass on guard and other components of the handle.

Initials on the top of grip but I cant really make them out.

Made for very small hands but as midshipmen would have joined up at the age of 12 or so, this seems plausible.

Hope you like it, I do anyway.

Regards,

Ken

Sajen · 25th August 2023, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kmaddock

Grip is ivory or bone and again in v good condition and nicely coloured, gilding remains on the brass on guard and other components of the handle.

Hello Ken,

Beautiful Naval dirk! Handle looks like bone or antler to my eyes!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kmaddock

Hope you like it, I do anyway.

Me too!

Regards,
Detlef

M ELEY · 26th August 2023, 12:37 AM

Great find, Ken! A really beautiful example of one of these! Could certainly be bone, but also ivory with a honey patina (this little guy probably dates 1790's-1805, Nelson's era.) Heck, some of these are made from walrus tusk, but I'd wager ivory...

Raf · 26th August 2023, 03:30 PM

I remember reading somewhere that late 18 th century hilts often used mammoth ivory. Don't know how you tell the difference.

Richard G · 26th August 2023, 05:15 PM

Yes, mammoth ivory.
Definitely mammoth ivory.
So much simpler.
In UK anyway.

Best wishes
Richard

Radboud · 27th August 2023, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard G

Yes, mammoth ivory.
Definitely mammoth ivory.
So much simpler.
In UK anyway.

Best wishes
Richard

You’ll want to double check that, I’m not 100% certain but I believe they extended the ban to mammoth ivory because it was too difficult to distinguish some of it.

Interested Party · 26th August 2023, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raf

I remember reading somewhere that late 18 th century hilts often used mammoth ivory. Don't know how you tell the difference.

The angle of the lines on the end grain.

fernando · 28th August 2023, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kmaddock

... Initials on the top of grip but I cant really make them out...

The so called Old English Text font. The initial on the left would be a T and the one on the right .... a C ?

.

.

25th August 2023, 04:32 PM	#1
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Georgian Midshipman Dirk Hi All, I just got this little fella. Lovely Georgian Midshipman Dirk, (British Navy) in original scabbard. I taught it was something else when I purchased it in a job lot of mixed knives but I am happy for what it is. Seem to be a lot of variation on these but included here for reference. Overall 27 CM with blade of 18CM. Scabbard leather in perfect condition with brass fittings. Grip is ivory or bone and again in v good condition and nicely coloured, gilding remains on the brass on guard and other components of the handle. Initials on the top of grip but I cant really make them out. Made for very small hands but as midshipmen would have joined up at the age of 12 or so, this seems plausible. Hope you like it, I do anyway. Regards, Ken Attached Images

26th August 2023, 12:37 AM	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,089	Great find, Ken! A really beautiful example of one of these! Could certainly be bone, but also ivory with a honey patina (this little guy probably dates 1790's-1805, Nelson's era.) Heck, some of these are made from walrus tusk, but I'd wager ivory...

26th August 2023, 03:30 PM	#4
Raf Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 252	I remember reading somewhere that late 18 th century hilts often used mammoth ivory. Don't know how you tell the difference.

26th August 2023, 05:15 PM	#5
Richard G Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 405	Yes, mammoth ivory. Definitely mammoth ivory. So much simpler. In UK anyway. Best wishes Richard