Scottish Dirk?

mgolab · 31st July 2025, 08:22 PM

I could not pass this one up for the price. Wondering if it is a Scottish dirk. 18.25 inches overall with a 12 inch blade.

Thanks for any comments

toaster5sqn · 2nd August 2025, 06:05 AM

Dirks were traditionally single edged, often made from cut down/broken backswords. Something like that could, perhaps, have been carried by a poorer highlander pre 1746 but I'm not sure your knife looks that old. Once highland arms were legal again in the late 1800s they became a lot more ornate, being an 'authentic' highlander was a game for the well off!

My first guess based on looks and age of the wood would be a WWI trench raiders knife, but it's just a guess. I'm definitely not an expert.

Robert

mgolab · 2nd August 2025, 06:58 PM

Thank you. I just received it. The blade is single edged. Also, very faded, but there appears to be a crown on the blade.

mgolab · 3rd August 2025, 12:46 AM

additional photos

mgolab · 3rd August 2025, 12:57 AM

Some markings on blade as well.

Jim McDougall · 5th August 2025, 05:31 PM

Looking at this interesting example, it does seem in the character of a dirk, but of course seems to be a notably ersatz version, but perhaps created by a Scot in military circumstances possibly in WWI period.. The mention of a trench knife brought to mind that a Scot in warfare situation might create a 'trench knife' which was crudely made, but in the character of the traditional dirks of his homeland.

The blade seems either cut down or perhaps even a bayonet blade of the period, with the corrosion under what seems nickel type lamination seen often on late 19th early 20th c steel. The mark may well be the kind of stamped trademark often seen on sheet stock of these times. This kind of marking is seen occurring in kaskara blades of Anglo-Egyptian Sudan c. 1900 of this type steel material.

There are marking scribed into the wood of the hilt appearing to be 4 F ?
suggesting again, perhaps a military unit?

The hilt appears to be of a furniture baluster, a spindle from probably a table leg etc? The pommel is crude but effectively crafted to approximate the types seen on many traditional dirks.

The importance of the dirk to the Scot cannot be underestimated. After the tragedy of Culloden, the Scots were forbidden to possess their faithful swords, nor guns or other weapons.
They were however allowed to keep their dirks for utility purposes, and these replaced in effect the sacred manner that was held in their swords. As a result, many Highland basket hilts had blades cut down into dirks, thus the sanctitude remained in place.

With Scots, their binding oaths were sworn on their dirks, just as they had done on their swords. Before the battle at Culloden, the swords were indeed blessed by the Holy Men.

Despite its crudity, this may well be a dirk to a Scot in war, and in field circumstances, he may have tried to duplicate the kind of weapon sacred to him as a faithful Scot as best he could.

Entirely speculation of course, but viably plausible as deduced.
Romanticized perhaps, but then, it is a hazard of my own ancestry

mgolab · 6th August 2025, 12:34 AM

The other side of the handle appears to have some markings as well, perhaps a "71"

mgolab · 6th August 2025, 12:35 AM

Here is image

mgolab · 20th August 2025, 08:55 PM

I reached out to a few institutions with pictures. The general feedback was that the blade is a cut down sword blade, perhaps 18th century. The hilt is reminiscent of dirks of the late 18th Century/early 19th century. Feedback was couched as limited to pictures provided.

I have attached other image of the "71", along with a confirmed "71" on a musket butt plate. Am I missing something or do the respective "71" appear very similar to each other?

Perhaps this was a "field made" dirk but here in America?

Appreciate any further comments.

Jim McDougall · 21st August 2025, 12:09 AM

71st Highland Infantry fought in India from 1770s, first battalion.

mgolab · 21st August 2025, 12:19 AM

The 71st regiment of foot, Fraser's Highlanders, served in American during the American Revolution. Both Norther and Southern Campaigns. The 1st Battalion was mostly captures at the Battle of Cowpens.

Jim McDougall · 21st August 2025, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgolab

The 71st regiment of foot, Fraser's Highlanders, served in American during the American Revolution. Both Norther and Southern Campaigns. The 1st Battalion was mostly captures at the Battle of Cowpens.

Thats what I was looking for! Thank you, makes more sense.

31st July 2025, 08:22 PM	#1
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 118	Scottish Dirk? I could not pass this one up for the price. Wondering if it is a Scottish dirk. 18.25 inches overall with a 12 inch blade. Thanks for any comments Attached Images

3rd August 2025, 12:46 AM	#4
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 118	additional photos Attached Images

3rd August 2025, 12:57 AM	#5
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 118	Some markings on blade as well. Attached Images

6th August 2025, 12:35 AM	#8
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 118	Here is image Attached Images

20th August 2025, 08:55 PM	#9
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 118	I reached out to a few institutions with pictures. The general feedback was that the blade is a cut down sword blade, perhaps 18th century. The hilt is reminiscent of dirks of the late 18th Century/early 19th century. Feedback was couched as limited to pictures provided. I have attached other image of the "71", along with a confirmed "71" on a musket butt plate. Am I missing something or do the respective "71" appear very similar to each other? Perhaps this was a "field made" dirk but here in America? Appreciate any further comments. Attached Images

2nd August 2025, 06:05 AM	#2
toaster5sqn Member Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: New Zealand Posts: 80	Dirks were traditionally single edged, often made from cut down/broken backswords. Something like that could, perhaps, have been carried by a poorer highlander pre 1746 but I'm not sure your knife looks that old. Once highland arms were legal again in the late 1800s they became a lot more ornate, being an 'authentic' highlander was a game for the well off! My first guess based on looks and age of the wood would be a WWI trench raiders knife, but it's just a guess. I'm definitely not an expert. Robert

2nd August 2025, 06:58 PM	#3
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 118	Thank you. I just received it. The blade is single edged. Also, very faded, but there appears to be a crown on the blade.

5th August 2025, 05:31 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,650	Looking at this interesting example, it does seem in the character of a dirk, but of course seems to be a notably ersatz version, but perhaps created by a Scot in military circumstances possibly in WWI period.. The mention of a trench knife brought to mind that a Scot in warfare situation might create a 'trench knife' which was crudely made, but in the character of the traditional dirks of his homeland. The blade seems either cut down or perhaps even a bayonet blade of the period, with the corrosion under what seems nickel type lamination seen often on late 19th early 20th c steel. The mark may well be the kind of stamped trademark often seen on sheet stock of these times. This kind of marking is seen occurring in kaskara blades of Anglo-Egyptian Sudan c. 1900 of this type steel material. There are marking scribed into the wood of the hilt appearing to be 4 F ? suggesting again, perhaps a military unit? The hilt appears to be of a furniture baluster, a spindle from probably a table leg etc? The pommel is crude but effectively crafted to approximate the types seen on many traditional dirks. The importance of the dirk to the Scot cannot be underestimated. After the tragedy of Culloden, the Scots were forbidden to possess their faithful swords, nor guns or other weapons. They were however allowed to keep their dirks for utility purposes, and these replaced in effect the sacred manner that was held in their swords. As a result, many Highland basket hilts had blades cut down into dirks, thus the sanctitude remained in place. With Scots, their binding oaths were sworn on their dirks, just as they had done on their swords. Before the battle at Culloden, the swords were indeed blessed by the Holy Men. Despite its crudity, this may well be a dirk to a Scot in war, and in field circumstances, he may have tried to duplicate the kind of weapon sacred to him as a faithful Scot as best he could. Entirely speculation of course, but viably plausible as deduced. Romanticized perhaps, but then, it is a hazard of my own ancestry

6th August 2025, 12:34 AM	#7
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 118	The other side of the handle appears to have some markings as well, perhaps a "71"

21st August 2025, 12:09 AM	#10
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,650	71st Highland Infantry fought in India from 1770s, first battalion.

21st August 2025, 12:19 AM	#11
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 118	The 71st regiment of foot, Fraser's Highlanders, served in American during the American Revolution. Both Norther and Southern Campaigns. The 1st Battalion was mostly captures at the Battle of Cowpens.