December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
An exceptionally fine example of an iron-mounted fighting dagger or dirk of the 1810s-1840s, particularly favored by military men, frontier traders, riverboat men, and gamblers, although its popularity waned with the ascent of the Bowie knife among the same during the 40s and 50s. The overall length is 16 inches, with an 11 1/4 inch-long, double-edged blade of diamond profile, 1 3/8 inches wide at crossguard and ending in a spearpoint tip. The hilt consists of a flat, oval-shaped crossguard (2x1 in.), ferrule and carved, spiraling grip of blackish horn, terminating in slightly convex, oval-shaped pommel cap of sheet iron. The handsome and practical scabbard consists of a body made from wood panel, covered with red morocco leather, with an iron throat mounted with frog button and iron chape or drag, both decorated with incised lines; on the reverse of the scabbard is set a clip of spring-steel, made to secure the dagger to the scabbard at crossguard, but easily released by thumb or finger. CONDITION: The blade bright and clean, with some mottled grey spots of former oxidation and small nicks or dings to hilt and scabbard mounts.