Question Re: Sheffield/Birmingham/Edinburgh maker's marks

laEspadaAncha · 29th January 2010, 06:19 PM

Hi Jim,

Thank you for the response... My query does in fact reference a particular example, a Jacobite (styled) dirk, which is marked with a "K" over an anvil. The "K," which measures approx. 3/32 inches (2.38 mm) across, is of the style used by Sheffield silversmith knife makers in 1874. The knife and furniture exhibit a patina appropriate to this age.

The double-edged blade measures approx. 9 3/8 inches in length and 1 5/16 inches in width at the ricasso, and is of flattened diamond cross section. It maintains a false edge for the first +/- 5 7/8 inches, with a distal taper that runs evenly the length of the blade beginning from the double edge down to the point. Blade pitting is very minor but true, but the blade has been zealously overcleaned. The bottom of the hilt is fitted with a crushed felt pile washer, which matches other 19th century examples I have seen in appearance and patina. The hilt itself is oak capped with a hand-tooled brass disc and pommel button.

I believe the scabbard is original to the knife - leather (no wooden insert) wet-formed to the knife, with a large center-sewn welt up the reverse, and with front and rear flaps that cover approx. 1/3 of the hilt. It is tooled with a simple Celtic knotwork pattern up the front of the scabbard. In other words, true to form. However, as I cannot say with certainty the scabbard is original to the knife (though at the very least it was custom made for it), I rather focus solely on the knife itself.

In short, it is a wonderful and accurately executed example of a Jabocite styled dirk. Definitely hand-made (as evidenced by the execution of the medial ridge).

My only question is: how old? The way I see it, either the "K" denotes a year of manufacture, or it is part of the maker's mark. I hope this helps. I've attached a few photos below...

Thanks & Regards,

Chris

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Threaded Mode

29th January 2010, 06:19 PM	#3
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	Hi Jim, Thank you for the response... My query does in fact reference a particular example, a Jacobite (styled) dirk, which is marked with a "K" over an anvil. The "K," which measures approx. 3/32 inches (2.38 mm) across, is of the style used by Sheffield silversmith knife makers in 1874. The knife and furniture exhibit a patina appropriate to this age. The double-edged blade measures approx. 9 3/8 inches in length and 1 5/16 inches in width at the ricasso, and is of flattened diamond cross section. It maintains a false edge for the first +/- 5 7/8 inches, with a distal taper that runs evenly the length of the blade beginning from the double edge down to the point. Blade pitting is very minor but true, but the blade has been zealously overcleaned. The bottom of the hilt is fitted with a crushed felt pile washer, which matches other 19th century examples I have seen in appearance and patina. The hilt itself is oak capped with a hand-tooled brass disc and pommel button. I believe the scabbard is original to the knife - leather (no wooden insert) wet-formed to the knife, with a large center-sewn welt up the reverse, and with front and rear flaps that cover approx. 1/3 of the hilt. It is tooled with a simple Celtic knotwork pattern up the front of the scabbard. In other words, true to form. However, as I cannot say with certainty the scabbard is original to the knife (though at the very least it was custom made for it), I rather focus solely on the knife itself. In short, it is a wonderful and accurately executed example of a Jabocite styled dirk. Definitely hand-made (as evidenced by the execution of the medial ridge). My only question is: how old? The way I see it, either the "K" denotes a year of manufacture, or it is part of the maker's mark. I hope this helps. I've attached a few photos below... Thanks & Regards, Chris