This British Royal Naval Dirk was made during the reign of Edward VII, 1901-1910, marked ERVII on the blade. A fine presentation the dirk has a shagreen grip and a lion's head pommel whose textured mane extends down the back piece. The quillons have acorn finials and on one side of the crosspiece is a badge with a fouled anchor. The dirk is set within its original matching leather and bronze scabbard into which it clips with a small release mechanism. The scabbard is marked with the initials of the owner, E.H.H.
The blade is highly decorated and bears the name of the maker Gieve, Matthews and Seagrove Ltd., London, Portsmouth and Devonport. The company has its roots in the 18th century and for over a century provisioned British Naval Officers for service. There are naval swords by this maker in the Royal Maritime Museum, Greenwich. Other decor on the blade includes a fouled anchor under royal crown, floral scrollwork with an acorn motif and a Star of David which according to the Royal Maritime was not used in a religious context but was a sort of proof mark used on edged weapons in this period.
