NAPOLEONIC ERA BRITISH NAVAL DIRK IN THE MAMELUKE FASHION

$595.00 ON HOLD

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1164-44

In addition to a long, deeply curved blade, this dirk has the full Mameluke style grip of mellow, cream colored bone, reeded along the top and bottom with the grooves framing a single grip rivet, which was capped by a gilt brass floral roundel, present on the obverse, but now missing on the reverse. A deep groove delineates the flat, globular pommel, which uses a red colored plug to imitate the hole in sword pommels for a wrist knot. The guard is a simple flat brass with short quillons turning up toward the pommel. The blade is etched with floral, geometric and martial motifs. The grip is in very good condition, with no breaks or chips, though missing one rivet cap and with some chipping to the red on the pommel. The upper edge of the guard shows a break and is missing what was likely a small lobe identical to that on the lower guard. The blade is full length and shows a silver gray with darker gray spots, but does have a couple of edge nicks and some shallow pitting. The etching is rubbed.

Middle Eastern fashion in weapons was popular in American navy and marine corps starting with victories in the Barbary Wars of 1805, though curved dirks tended to be more decorative and indicators of rank postdating the fighting dirks of the 1790s and very early 1800s. With the British it started earlier and lasted a lot longer from the extent of the empire. We would date this about 1815, but it could go a little earlier or later, and we can’t rule out that it might have made its way into the American market. Regardless of that, this one is impressive in the sweep of the blade and unabashedly Mameluke hilt.  [sr] [ph:m/L]

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