*British Georgian, c.1795–1805, Royal Navy Midshipman’s Dirk, Napoleonic / Trafalgar Period, Bone Grip, Foliate Guard, Brass Scabbard*
A British Georgian Royal Navy dirk dating to the Napoleonic / Trafalgar period, circa 1795–1805, with turned bone grip, cast brass foliate crossguard, flattened diamond-section blade, and brass scabbard with acorn terminal.
The dirk has a straight, double-edged blade of flattened diamond section, typical of late Georgian naval dirks of the late 18th and early 19th century. The hilt is fitted with a baluster-turned grip of bone, shaped with ringed mouldings at the top and base, mounted to a brass ferrule. The crossguard is of cast brass with foliate or flower-head terminals, a decorative style seen on late Georgian naval dirks. A red felt washer remains between guard and blade, a feature often encountered on period examples.
The dirk retains its original brass scabbard with small knop terminal. The scabbard is of plain Georgian form with raised bands and a central belt.
Approx. Measurements – Blade length: 21 cm. Overall length: 31.5 cm. Blade width at ricasso: 2 cm. Crossguard width: 5.3 cm.
Historical Note:
Before the introduction of regulated naval dirk patterns in the early 19th century, Royal Navy officers and midshipmen in the Georgian period purchased their own sidearms from private cutlers. As a result, late Georgian naval dirks exist in many variations, though most share common features such as short double-edged blades, turned bone or ivory grips, small cast guards, and brass or leather scabbards.
Dirks of this size and form were commonly carried by midshipmen and junior officers during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, including the period of the Battle of Trafalgar (1805). They served both as dress sidearms and practical weapons for close-quarters fighting during boarding actions and shipboard combat.
Blades of this type were frequently manufactured in Solingen, Germany, and exported to England, where they were fitted with hilts and scabbards by London, Birmingham, or naval port cutlers. Full brass scabbards such as this are known on privately purchased naval dirks of the late 18th and early 19th century and are often associated with midshipmen, warrant officers, or merchant naval officers.
The present example is entirely consistent with a British naval dirk of the Trafalgar era and represents a good surviving example of a privately purchased Georgian naval sidearm.
*Condition*
Blade with age wear, staining and areas of surface pitting consistent with age. No visible maker’s marks. Edge and point intact. Bone grip with minor age discolouration and small shrinkage lines but structurally sound. Guard with age patina and wear, red washer present. Brass scabbard with dents, creases and areas of corrosion consistent with age and use; small split visible to one side. Overall good, honest untouched condition. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
RQMCEOXEOO_6317232713
