Scottish Dirk, c. 1840

[7X57chilmau]

So, in my wanders in the American South these last couple weeks, I visited an antiques store with my step father. He was trading a Dragoon pistol for various items, and as part of the trade, he included this Scottish Dirk, at least in part because it had my initials bookpressed into the frog.

There is liberal use of Sterling, and the stone in the butt is natural Topaz.

The blade is 6" long, overall length is a bit over 10".

170 years after it was made, it's still respectably sharp.

Enjoy.





















J

 

[hso]

Rogers & Sons is one of the great Sheffield houses and their work is usually valuable.

As to the stone, it should be cairngorm, specific quartz type from Scotland, instead of topaz.

 

[7X57chilmau]

cairngorm.... Yes, that word was tossed about, I thought it was just a celtic word for a jewel in such a setting... I suspect you're right.

I have no idea what part of the deal this represented, but the price on the sticker was shocking to me. I'll not disclose it, but it had 4 digits. I suspect that in this trade, it represented a rather smaller portion than that (the great bulk of the value was definately in the firearms...).

My step father issued me a challenge with this knife: I'm to build a matching Sgian dubh, if I can manage it.

I've got my work cut out, that's for sure...

J

 

[hso]

Got the pattern right here in the drawer. I'll send it to you.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Nice Knife!

 

[Gordon]

Drool!

 

[HorseSoldier]

Very nice find.

 

[BruiseLee]

I just saw a Scottish dirk used on the tv series Deadliest Warrior. The thing went thru the bottom of a skull and out the back of the head. I was never too crazy about the design since there's nothing to stop your hand from slipping onto the blade after a hard strike, and likewise there is nothing to stop an enemy's blade from sliding off your blade onto your fingers.

 

[7X57chilmau]

Thanks for the comments, gents!

To me, it's a bit of a strange form... But it's actually quite comfortable in the hand, very much more usable than I had anticipated... I like guarded fightin' knives, but I'm sure the wiley ole' Scots knew what they were up to.

Now, I gotta try to turn out a reasonable companion piece... Lol.

J

 

[bikerdoc]

Cant wait to see your work. I am sure it will remakable and imaginative

 

[Smokey Joe]

Keeping a dirk...

7x57 Chilmau--As a proud Scot meeself, I salute you and your SF, and your find. Keep it well.

Never draw wi'oot cause, never sheathe wi'oot honor.

I too look forward to seeing your matching creation.