Pirate swords and weapons 2

[M ELEY]

009- Two naval dirks. These types of dirks were carried by midshipmen in both the European and American navies from approximately 1750-1880's. Midshipmen could be as young as 8 years old(!!) up to adulthood. Many of these were signs of rank/decorative, but others were amde for the business of defending oneself if your ship was boarded or if you were storming another's ship. Lord Nelson himself used to use one in battle as a yound cadet.
Top dirk either French or American copying the French style. Plain cruciform guard, fluted black horn grip with flat guilded pommel cap. The blade is slightly edged, but has a wickedly sharp point. Wouldn't want to get gigged with this thing! Circa 1805-20's?
Bottom pic one of the classic patterns of British naval dirks seen (no specific patterns on these, but many copied a particular pattern). Fluted square ivory grip, up and down quillons and "pillow-form" pommel all guilded. Blade has a full cutting edge and false edge for half it's length.

[M ELEY]

007- More detail of the two naval dirks...

[RSWORD]

Originally Posted by M ELEY

007- More detail of the two naval dirks...

Pics added

[Jim McDougall]

Mark, this just keeps getting gooder and gooder!!!
Seriously, this is undoubtedly the most breathtaking array of potentially pirate associated weapons I have seen.......and much of this is like the pages of Brinckerhoff & Chamberlain come to life!
Thank you so much for sharing these.
I'm off to the books
All the best,
Jim

[M ELEY]

Thanks for commenting, Jim. I know alot of these are more "maritime" that confirmed pirate, but privateering definately fits these items, I think. Into the home stretch

[M ELEY]

005- Here are a couple of spike axes. Prior to the early British issued models and the American types which followed them (ca. 1790's & on), most maritime axes were tomahawk types, meaning they had a cutting edge and wicked spike end. This allowed for them to be used as both a tool, fire implement, and weapon.
The top axe, ca. 1780-1800, blacksmith-made with nice long original haft. Although no provenance to prove sea use, it definately has many of the characteristics that indicate that it might have been, including the long haft, rounded butt to the base and generalized shape.
The botton axe ca. 1790-1830 period, blacksmith-made forged iron with steel bit edge.

[M ELEY]

004- Detail of the long-hafted colonial axe...

[RSWORD]

Originally Posted by M ELEY

005- Here are a couple of spike axes. Prior to the early British issued models and the American types which followed them (ca. 1790's & on), most maritime axes were tomahawk types, meaning they had a cutting edge and wicked spike end. This allowed for them to be used as both a tool, fire implement, and weapon.
The top axe, ca. 1780-1800, blacksmith-made with nice long original haft. Although no provenance to prove sea use, it definately has many of the characteristics that indicate that it might have been, including the long haft, rounded butt to the base and generalized shape.
The botton axe ca. 1790-1830 period, blacksmith-made forged iron with steel bit edge.

Pics added

[RSWORD]

Originally Posted by M ELEY

009- Two naval dirks. These types of dirks were carried by midshipmen in both the European and American navies from approximately 1750-1880's. Midshipmen could be as young as 8 years old(!!) up to adulthood. Many of these were signs of rank/decorative, but others were amde for the business of defending oneself if your ship was boarded or if you were storming another's ship. Lord Nelson himself used to use one in battle as a yound cadet.
Top dirk either French or American copying the French style. Plain cruciform guard, fluted black horn grip with flat guilded pommel cap. The blade is slightly edged, but has a wickedly sharp point. Wouldn't want to get gigged with this thing! Circa 1805-20's?
Bottom pic one of the classic patterns of British naval dirks seen (no specific patterns on these, but many copied a particular pattern). Fluted square ivory grip, up and down quillons and "pillow-form" pommel all guilded. Blade has a full cutting edge and false edge for half it's length.

Pics added