Brass Hilt Dirk

Jim McDougall · 8th September 2025, 08:40 PM

Naturally the Capn is spot on! This does appear to be a stylized version of the Scottish dirk, and quite old, I would imagine latter part of 18th c. as the capstan atop the pommel suggests. These all metal types seem to have been well known around end of 17th c. ("the Scottish Dirk", James D. Forman, 1991) and less commonly known are the pewter examples. The use of cut down sword blades, while popular, was not exclusively the case, however the well known quality steel of the German blades was preferred.

Officers of Highland companies of course typically bought silver mounted dirks while troops either bought their own serviceable 'brass mounted' dirks or these were supplied by the regimental colonels.

While in the post Jacobite period dirks and broadswords were gradually given up by ordinary soldiers from the time of the Revolution and after. However it is noted that the Black Watch (42nd Highlanders) kept their dirks until nearly 1830s.

In the pre Culloden days, the dirk was held in the left hand behind the target, and used as required in close quarter fighting with downward stab. The Highlanders learned the importance of the bayonet after Culloden, and with the musket the primary weapon, the bayonet became the immediate secondary.

It was often believed that during the proscription of Highland weapons, the enforcement was quite lax, especially toward the dirk. This was because the Highlander swore oaths and allegiance on the blade of his dirk, and that fiercely observed convention was sacred to him.

8th September 2025, 08:40 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,570	Brass hilt dirks Naturally the Capn is spot on! This does appear to be a stylized version of the Scottish dirk, and quite old, I would imagine latter part of 18th c. as the capstan atop the pommel suggests. These all metal types seem to have been well known around end of 17th c. ("the Scottish Dirk", James D. Forman, 1991) and less commonly known are the pewter examples. The use of cut down sword blades, while popular, was not exclusively the case, however the well known quality steel of the German blades was preferred. Officers of Highland companies of course typically bought silver mounted dirks while troops either bought their own serviceable 'brass mounted' dirks or these were supplied by the regimental colonels. While in the post Jacobite period dirks and broadswords were gradually given up by ordinary soldiers from the time of the Revolution and after. However it is noted that the Black Watch (42nd Highlanders) kept their dirks until nearly 1830s. In the pre Culloden days, the dirk was held in the left hand behind the target, and used as required in close quarter fighting with downward stab. The Highlanders learned the importance of the bayonet after Culloden, and with the musket the primary weapon, the bayonet became the immediate secondary. It was often believed that during the proscription of Highland weapons, the enforcement was quite lax, especially toward the dirk. This was because the Highlander swore oaths and allegiance on the blade of his dirk, and that fiercely observed convention was sacred to him. Attached Images Last edited by Jim McDougall; 8th September 2025 at 08:55 PM.