UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons European Edged Weapons British naval swords (seeking info and worth)

Hi guys, Can anyone provide information and possibly the value of the two swords pictured. I know closeups and more specifics would be helpful, but this is the only photo I was provided. I have zero knowledge in this area. Thanks in advance for any help. Andy

They are British midshipman's dirks. From the one photo I would say they were ok, but there are many reproductions of these on the market. Condition is important on these. You need o see the makers marks as well as the blade decorations. You date British swords and daggers by the cypher on the blade. Yours are probably queen Victoria.

Make Certain the grips are real and not synthetic..

Here is the photo

Thanks. Just learned the makers to be.

Gieve Matthews & Seagrove ltd

London Portsmouth & Devonport

They both are about 23 inches.

Here are some photos of mine. You can see the condition.

If I have the condition of yours correct, I would not pay much. Maybe 300 for both. But the condition may be different.

Are you saying both of these are from the same maker?

Jim's example is what the dirk should look like. From the original photo posted I think the top one might be period, but the lower one could be a reproduction. Better photos needed to confirm one way or the other. Best Regards, Fred

Thanks again guys. Every bit of info and opinion is appreciated. I understand the difficulty given the photos. Any keys points indicating an original versus a repro I can pass on the owner?

Since we can not really see what the daggers look like because of the one poor photo, I can not see how we can make a detailed list of what is wrong.

What is most disturbing about these are the grips. Almost all reproductions have leather grips. I believe the grip on the second one can not be genuine "Sami" material. And that is the point I would make to him, what is the grip material. past that, I suggest he look at the photos of mine and do his own comparison.