Naval Dirk?

[M ELEY]

Yes, please do. It appears early, at least mid-19th and the simple cross guard as noted is similar to naval dirks. The stacked guard has washer-type 'disks' of material, probably leather or possibly gutta percha, to form the grip. It is also possible the grip was a replacement? We'll now more with better pics. She's a monster dirk at 18+ inches!

[mgolab]

Finally received it. Blade is 13.5 inches long! 18.5 inches overall. additional images attached. Blade seems hand forged to me. Guard seems brass, very old.

[mgolab]

blade also appears to have a double fuller?

[M ELEY]

Very nice piece! To my knowledge, no naval dirks had leather-bound grips. The leather-washer types seemed to have started popping up around the last quarter of the 19th century up until around the '30's. From the patina on this one, it's easily from the older period. I'd stick with it being a side knife/fighting dirk (not a naval one, though). The guard is of the type used on both naval and fighting knife types. Due to its size, we can rule out a 'boot knife' or gambler's dirk.

[mgolab]

Thanks Mark. I appreciate the feedback. I am curious whether the grip was redone at some point in the late 19th century, similar to a tomahawk re-hafted in its life.

I only ask because that blade seems really old to me. For some reason, I get a Spanish feel to it.

[Jim McDougall]

I agree with this being a fighting dirk as it is larger than sword blades of course, but notably larger than typical knives. With the profound connection of dirks to maritime themes it is natural to presume that distinction, however that cannot always be an exclusive definition. The weapons often used aboard vessels in various situations were often not specifically 'naval'.

I think the 'Spanish' feel noted may be well placed as this blade does seem to resemble the size and character of what are regarded as Central American dirks (Levine 1985) those these typically had an unusual finger ring in the hilt. 'That blade may indeed be quite old, perhaps even turn of the century or slightly earlier.

Knife fighting was a common matter among sailors and those situated in ports of call throughout the 'Spanish Main' , which of course remained alive and well long after the familiar 'Golden Age of Piracy' throughout the Caribbean, and especially the Gulf and colonies in Central and South American coastal regions. In the early 19th century there was a profusion of weapon styles that evolved using earlier blades and components in these Caribbean and coastal regions in the Americas.....and as always, piracy

As well known with the case of Jim Bowie, New Orleans was virtually a hot bed of knife fighting and dueling in the early 19th century, which while epitomized there, was actually prevalent as noted throughout the ports frequented by vessels of all sorts.

As always, weapons were often refurbished with the whims of the owner or as they changed hands. This may be the case here, and in accord with Marks assessment of the present hilting character.

[mgolab]

Thank you very much Jim for this analysis.

I am curious about the age of the blade. I have a few documented 18th century hunting swords and this blade seems to be of that age (18th century), if not older.