Naval Dirks

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Richard G

Thank you both for your comments.
They are not actually mine. I agree they are more hanger than dirk, and bandsman's sword is certainly a possibility. The scabbards have a 'Parker Field police hanger' look about them and i wonder if they could have been for use by law enforcement of some sort. Dockyard watchmen; that sort of thing.
Best wishes
Richard

I think that is a good suggestion Richard, and the 'Parker Field' note well placed, though these police weapons were more austere. As Mark has noted, the issuance type markings would not be found on dirks or for that matter any naval officers sword.
It is well known that there were quasi military/law enforcement groups that patrolled docks to guard the valuable commodities at hand while being loaded onto vessels. As these were privately organized and controlled it makes sense that higher end weapons like this would be among these.