Naval Dirk?

mgolab · 9th July 2025, 01:22 PM

I just bought this piece but it has not arrived yet.

The seller described it as a "large hand made fighting knife" which is 18.5 inches overall length.

I am curious whether this is a naval dirk.

Thanks

M ELEY · Today, 08:07 AM

Hi Mark. It could very well be a naval dirk. many of them were very pain, with spear-point blades and very simple cross guards such as the one on this dirk. Better pics might help in determining for sure. Likewise, this could be a "boot dagger" type from the Old West setting. Naval dirks ranged in size from a mere 8" or so for dress dirks up to very large examples over 20"! Hard to tell from the pics what the grip is made from. Is that wrapping?

In looking again at this piece, I think this is more of a gambler's dirk versus a naval piece. During the last quarter of the 19th into the early 20th, knives like these had leather 'banding', almost like little washers all pushed tightly together to make the grips. Still, it is a great piece with an undoubtedly colorful history! These things were sort of the precursor to later knives, including trench knives. In profile, it even resembles the Fairborne-Sykes types-

mgolab · Today, 12:41 PM

Thanks Mark.

I still have not received the piece yet. I will post more pictures when it arrives. The seller says that it is 18.5 inches overall, hand forged and has a "stacked" handle (?).

Curious to see if there are any markings on the blade.

9th July 2025, 01:22 PM	#1
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 82	Naval Dirk? I just bought this piece but it has not arrived yet. The seller described it as a "large hand made fighting knife" which is 18.5 inches overall length. I am curious whether this is a naval dirk. Thanks Attached Images

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Today, 08:07 AM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,177	Hi Mark. It could very well be a naval dirk. many of them were very pain, with spear-point blades and very simple cross guards such as the one on this dirk. Better pics might help in determining for sure. Likewise, this could be a "boot dagger" type from the Old West setting. Naval dirks ranged in size from a mere 8" or so for dress dirks up to very large examples over 20"! Hard to tell from the pics what the grip is made from. Is that wrapping? In looking again at this piece, I think this is more of a gambler's dirk versus a naval piece. During the last quarter of the 19th into the early 20th, knives like these had leather 'banding', almost like little washers all pushed tightly together to make the grips. Still, it is a great piece with an undoubtedly colorful history! These things were sort of the precursor to later knives, including trench knives. In profile, it even resembles the Fairborne-Sykes types-

Today, 12:41 PM	#3
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 82	Thanks Mark. I still have not received the piece yet. I will post more pictures when it arrives. The seller says that it is 18.5 inches overall, hand forged and has a "stacked" handle (?). Curious to see if there are any markings on the blade.