Curved bladed dirk, the dirk consists of a gilt hilt, with straight quillons, which have lions' heads and inversed ends. The dirk has a lion's-head pommel and back-piece, the mane extending only one-third of the way down the back-piece. The white ivory grip is diamond knurled. The very curved, flat backed steel blade has one shallow broad groove running to the point. The black leather scabbard is missing the top locket. The mid locket consists of a gilt band with a shell ornament. There is also a ring for a chain sling, which is attached. There is no sign of any metal chape having ever been fitted.

The dirk is of a fancy pattern type, which was carried by 1st Class Volunteers from 1820 for about fifteen years. There seems to have been no regulation pattern or if so, it was not closely adhered to. The first mention of dirks for 1st Class Volunteers occurs in the 'Admiralty Dress Regulations of 1827' but no description or details are given. The standard pattern was probably shown in a set of coloured plates, 'Costumes of the British Navy and Royal Marines 1828-1830', the dirk shown having a white polished ivory hilt, similar to the so-called 'Mameluke' hilt of the General Officer's sword of the British Army, with a gilt chain knuckle-guard. Few dirks of this pattern seem to have survived and it is more common to find a lion's mask or other animal's head and there are rare examples with the head of a crocodile. See also WPN1073.