Dirk.

Gavin Nugent · 27th March 2011, 08:05 AM

Hi Alexander,

Not my interest or knowledge base but a shame this has gone unanswered.
At face value I would suggest a European influenced Ottoman/Balkin regions Naval dirk.

I hope others chime in.

Gav

Jim McDougall · 28th March 2011, 03:15 AM

Hi Alexander,
Im with Gav in regrets that no answers have come in on this, but I very much agree in his assessments of European influence and Ottoman associations. I am inclined to go toward North Africa though, as somehow the blade on this reminds me of a koummya, and high relief silvered scabbard is also mindful of these despite not having the typical turnback at the tip.

The cosmological symbols of course recall the prevalent use of these on European blades of the 18th century and which became well known on the broadsword blades of North Africa, particularly the kaskara.

The curved naval dirk while attractive for dress, was not especially favored for combat (Gilkerson p.115, Annis & May, p.75-76) and most naval dirks were straight bladed for the thrust.

I would think this nice example to have been made probably by outfitters in either Algiers or Egypt around turn of the century for British or French officers as a dress item. The bluing and gilt wash on the motif of course would have been intended to appeal to officers in accord with sabres of the time and thier decoration. I am curious as to what the pommel must have been.

All best regards,
Jim

fernando · 28th March 2011, 12:17 PM

May i dare suggest ...
The scabbard is not original to the blade ?

... And the handle ... i wonder

Alexander · 28th March 2011, 02:54 PM

Dear friends. Thanks for the information.
Respect, Alexander.

Dmitry · 28th September 2011, 04:16 PM

The blade is very good, late 1700s-early 1800s. The rest is a strewn together mish-mash. The sheath was put together from two pieces of a yataghan scabbard.

27th March 2011, 08:05 AM	#1
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Ahoy Hi Alexander, Not my interest or knowledge base but a shame this has gone unanswered. At face value I would suggest a European influenced Ottoman/Balkin regions Naval dirk. I hope others chime in. Gav

28th March 2011, 03:15 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,940	Hi Alexander, Im with Gav in regrets that no answers have come in on this, but I very much agree in his assessments of European influence and Ottoman associations. I am inclined to go toward North Africa though, as somehow the blade on this reminds me of a koummya, and high relief silvered scabbard is also mindful of these despite not having the typical turnback at the tip. The cosmological symbols of course recall the prevalent use of these on European blades of the 18th century and which became well known on the broadsword blades of North Africa, particularly the kaskara. The curved naval dirk while attractive for dress, was not especially favored for combat (Gilkerson p.115, Annis & May, p.75-76) and most naval dirks were straight bladed for the thrust. I would think this nice example to have been made probably by outfitters in either Algiers or Egypt around turn of the century for British or French officers as a dress item. The bluing and gilt wash on the motif of course would have been intended to appeal to officers in accord with sabres of the time and thier decoration. I am curious as to what the pommel must have been. All best regards, Jim

28th March 2011, 12:17 PM	#3
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	May i dare suggest ... The scabbard is not original to the blade ? ... And the handle ... i wonder

28th March 2011, 02:54 PM	#4
Alexander Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Russia, Moscow. Posts: 48	Dear friends. Thanks for the information. Respect, Alexander.

28th September 2011, 04:16 PM	#5
Dmitry Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 607	The blade is very good, late 1700s-early 1800s. The rest is a strewn together mish-mash. The sheath was put together from two pieces of a yataghan scabbard.