E1193

Hilt of dirk, after 1856 Long Caption: Dirk, which belonged to Commander Henry John Martin (1841-1876). The hilt of the dirk consists of a gilt lion's-head pommel, the mane extends the length of the back-piece. The white fish-skin grip is bound with three gilt wires. The inversed quillons have acorn ends. The straight flat steel blade has a double-edged spear point. The obverse of the blade is engraved with a crown and foul anchor motif, with decoration above and below. The reverse of the blade is engraved with the words 'THOS.WALTON, OUTFITTER, GOSPORT' and a crown over the Royal cypher 'VR', with decoration above and below. The black leather scabbard has a gilt locket and chape. There is an ornamental frog button on the locket, and the locket and chape are ornamented with threads and scrolls. Credit line: © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London Object: WPN1152 Artist: unknown Date: 1856 Medium: gilt; fish-skin; gilt wire; steel; leather Size: 25 mm x 475 mm x 105 mm; 346 mm x 29 mm Click here to buy a bespoke print of this image.