Scottish Dirk Late 18th Century

Battara · 5th December 2018, 11:21 PM

Well to answer your question, the initials on the gorget are "JML" I think for "J McLeod" on the backside.

With so many McLeods/MacLeods, honing in on the right military service would be helpful to see who it might fit. I emailed the auction house for info on the former owner but no answer.

shayde78 · 6th December 2018, 02:31 AM

The cross section of the blade 'feels' older than mid-1700s. Not an academic opinion, I'll admit, but there's a look about it that feels older.

Rick · 6th December 2018, 03:32 AM

Well, I emailed the curator of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and enclosed the link to this thread.
Let's see what happens.

E.B. Erickson · 6th December 2018, 01:02 PM

That's a nice dirk! I am in agreement with what Jim says above about it, with the addition that the blade could be from an English military sword, as the narrow & wide fuller combination was very common on English swords, and the Scots often used English blades in their baskets. The thing that would make me think that this may not be an English blade is the the wide fuller seems a bit wide, and the narrow one a bit narrow when compared to most English military blades.

--ElJay

Rick · 6th December 2018, 04:02 PM

Did you successfully straighten this blade Jose?

Norman McCormick · 6th December 2018, 06:51 PM

Hi,
The disposition of the fullers is quite typical of some 18thC blades. See attached photograph of a French Petits Montmorency sabre from which I think one could easily craft a blade similar to the Dirk shown here.
The Dirk is a nice thing and I think it might be worth your while dropping a line and some hi-res photographs to the Arms and Armour curator at the Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow for more info.
Regards,
Norman.

Battara · 7th December 2018, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

Hi,
The disposition of the fullers is quite typical of some 18thC blades. See attached photograph of a French Petits Montmorency sabre from which I think one could easily craft a blade similar to the Dirk shown here.
The Dirk is a nice thing and I think it might be worth your while dropping a line and some hi-res photographs to the Arms and Armour curator at the Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow for more info.
Regards,
Norman.

Great idea, Norman, thank you. And thank you all for your thoughts, confirmations, and help. Great ideas.

In the meantime, here is the back of the scabbard that I forgot to post.

Pukka Bundook · 7th December 2018, 01:22 PM

Jose,

Have you looked at Government hilts?
In your last photos, I can see the side panels on the shoulders. These, with the three pins and the shape, are identical to the Government hilt of 1725-50.

Battara · 7th December 2018, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Did you successfully straighten this blade Jose?

Sure did. The first picture is how it came, the second picture is after I carefully straightened the blade.

6th December 2018, 06:51 PM	#6
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,618	Hi, The disposition of the fullers is quite typical of some 18thC blades. See attached photograph of a French Petits Montmorency sabre from which I think one could easily craft a blade similar to the Dirk shown here. The Dirk is a nice thing and I think it might be worth your while dropping a line and some hi-res photographs to the Arms and Armour curator at the Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow for more info. Regards, Norman. Attached Images

5th December 2018, 11:21 PM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Well to answer your question, the initials on the gorget are "JML" I think for "J McLeod" on the backside. With so many McLeods/MacLeods, honing in on the right military service would be helpful to see who it might fit. I emailed the auction house for info on the former owner but no answer.

6th December 2018, 02:31 AM	#2
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 445	The cross section of the blade 'feels' older than mid-1700s. Not an academic opinion, I'll admit, but there's a look about it that feels older.

6th December 2018, 03:32 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Well, I emailed the curator of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and enclosed the link to this thread. Let's see what happens.

6th December 2018, 01:02 PM	#4
E.B. Erickson Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 61	That's a nice dirk! I am in agreement with what Jim says above about it, with the addition that the blade could be from an English military sword, as the narrow & wide fuller combination was very common on English swords, and the Scots often used English blades in their baskets. The thing that would make me think that this may not be an English blade is the the wide fuller seems a bit wide, and the narrow one a bit narrow when compared to most English military blades. --ElJay

6th December 2018, 04:02 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Did you successfully straighten this blade Jose?

7th December 2018, 01:22 PM	#8
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Jose, Have you looked at Government hilts? In your last photos, I can see the side panels on the shoulders. These, with the three pins and the shape, are identical to the Government hilt of 1725-50.