Description
1 fine & rare antique late 18th Century British Officer naval dirk available. This early dirk would make an important addition to any collection.
This late-1700’s A.D. dagger still has some etching at the base of the blade near the guard, and further up on the blade.
This is an especially large Naval dagger. It measures 18 3/4”. The blade measures 14 3/16″.
Note the gold gilt remaining on the handle fittings and guard.
In the late 18th century, the British Naval Dirk transitioned from a functional boarding weapon into a prestigious “badge of office” for junior officers and midshipmen. Because there was no official Admiralty regulation for dirks until the Victorian era (1856), these were private purchase items, leading to a vast diversity in design.
Blades: Blades were typically straight and double-edged during this period, though curved single-edged versions (resembling miniature sabers) became popular during the Napoleonic Wars. Some were famously made from cut-down full-size swords.
Market and Availability: Authentic Georgian-era dirks are rare and highly collectible due to their private-purchase nature and the youth of the midshipmen who carried (and often lost or broke) them.
The “walking out” dress of a late 18th and early 19th-century British Midshipman was a carefully curated display of status, designed to distinguish “young gentlemen” from the common seamen while they were ashore. The centerpiece of this ensemble was the Naval Dirk.
CONDITION:
This 18th Century British Officer naval dirk is in excellent condition. The blade has occasional minor pitting. The grip has no cracks or chips. This naval dirk will last another 200 years in this fine condition.
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