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Naval History and Heritage Command

NH 68477 Dirks

Dirks
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Title: Dirks
Caption: Top to bottom: 1. British naval dirk, DE blade with George III cypher and ornamentation, white ivory grip with vertical fluting. Round knob pommel, gold-gilded crossguard. Typical of midshipmen's dirks of Revolutionary War period. American naval dirk of 1700s. Unmarked. Distinctive grip of walrus ivory, so identified, with openwork iron crossguard. Most distinctive feature is curved SE blade with edge on inner or reverse side-an ideal arrangement for a midshipman assigned to slash standing rigging of an enemy ship in boarding. 3. Another naval dirk, clearly American to judge by small stars and stripes decoration on SE curved blade. Gold-gilded crossguard with rudimentary eagle heads as quillons. White ivory grips with double chain to pommel, pommel missing. Gilded scabbard with two carrying rings in early stall.
Description: Courtesy of Ashley Halsey, Jr. collection
Catalog #: NH 68477
Copyright Owner: Naval History and Heritage Command
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Original Medium: BW photograph
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