Dirk

Turkish dirk, the hilt of the dirk consists of an inversed guard, the inversion is in the opposite direction to the usual form. The obverse of the guard is decorated with an embossed foul anchor with a crescent beneath it. The reverse of the guard is decorated with an embossed foul anchor and button for the retaining catch. The white ivory grip has gilt brass mounts and incorporates the pommel, which is made in the form of a turban with a chelengk in the centre on the obverse side.

The steel blade is straight and double-edged, of flattened oval section with a rectangular section at the shoulder and two 76mm grooves near the point. The blade is decorated for about three-fifths of its length from the shoulder. The obverse of the blade is decorated with engraved foliage and scrolls, a bow view of a sailing ship flying a tricolour jack, red-white-red (?), a foul anchor surmounted by a turban, and further foliage. The reverse of the blade is decorated with foliage and strap-work, a bow view of a sailing ship, a foul anchor surmounted by a turban, and further foliage. The solid brass scabbard is gilded. The scabbard has very stylised bands of rope to secure each of the two suspension rings. The mounts are engraved with the 'ermine' pattern with chevrons at the chape.

The dirk is a variant form of the long Imperial German dirk of 1890 and 1902. The grip is very similar in design and so is the guard, save for the inversion. The scabbard follows the German form and the decoration on the blade is in the German style. Although there is no indication of the origin of the dirk, it was probably made in Germany.

Object Details

ID: WPN1407
Collection: Weapons
Type: Dirk
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Unknown
Places: Turkey
Date made: early 20th century
People: Imperial German Navy
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Blade: 679 x 19 mm
Parts: Dirk
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