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Title Silver-mounted whalebone-hilted dirk
Nationality Adriatic
Period c 1780
Sold

Dirks of this quality would have been carried by merchant seamen in the Mediterranean area, also by pirates. It could well be a Croatian piece.

The shape of the hilt is derived from the Mediterranean dirk, although there is no baluster at the forte as you would expect. The mounting of the blade, where the base of the blade meets the crossguard directly, is more typically North European.

It has pewter inlay in the hilt and is mounted with a silver ferule, pommel and strapwork, which is unusual, as in Europe it was not normal practice to mix base metal (pewter) with precious metal (silver), a further indication that this could be of Balkan origin. There are no hallmarks, so it's probably a low grade coin-type silver.

The blade is 9.75 inches long and the scabbard is a modern one.

If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.


[Edged Weapons : Dirks : Adriatic : 18th Century]

testimonials

The day the blunderbuss arrives I could not stop looking and feeling the gun for at least one hour. My wife told me that I was sick........ I am very happy, it is a piece of craftsmanship! Well made! I have 5 blunderbusses but all iron barrel, also from England but this one is gorgeous with the Brass Barrel.

Please keep me informed when you have any other type of blunderbuss. Thanks my friend!

M R, USA, 04.08.2011

Bayonet arrived today, very quick, and very pleased.

P H, UK, 13.11.2010

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