SMALL DIRK WITH EBONY AND SILVER HILT, mid-1800s

This nice mid-19th c. small dirk is mounted with 11 cm-long rhomboid blade, and 9 cm-long coffin handle of ebonized wood. The ferrule and guard are sterling silver, and were painted gold. Paint can be easily removed, but I left it as is. Condition of the blade is a bit rough, the edges and point are still sharp, the guard is loose, the handle is tight with the blade. Contemporary newspapers describe this type of weapon being used fairly often in brawls, usually with a no-good result for a stabee. A piece like this would be cheap enough for an average drunk to purchase, and become dangerous.