A Brazilian (Navy) Dirk for comments

fernando · 15th July 2019, 10:33 PM

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 · 16th July 2019, 02:24 PM

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 · 16th July 2019, 07:47 PM

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

Sajen · 16th July 2019, 09:57 PM

Hello Fernando,

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

Regards,
Detlef

M ELEY · 17th July 2019, 07:10 AM

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 · 17th July 2019, 08:08 PM

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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15th July 2019, 10:33 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	A Brazilian (Navy) Dirk for comments 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 ? . Attached Images

17th July 2019, 08:08 PM	#6
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	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 ... . Attached Images

16th July 2019, 02:24 PM	#2
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 391	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.

16th July 2019, 07:47 PM	#3
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thank you so much, Will. I will ponder on both solutions.

16th July 2019, 09:57 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,779	Hello Fernando, I would let it restore and give it back it's former glory. Regards, Detlef

17th July 2019, 07:10 AM	#5
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,097	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!'