Dirk

Dirk, after 1856, the hilt of the dirk consists of a straight crosspiece. The dirk has a gilt lion's-head pommel and back-piece. The white fish-skin grip is bound with three gilt wires. The flat-backed steel blade is straight to within 133mm of the double-edged spear point. The obverse of the blade is engraved with a crown over a foul anchor motif, with decoration above and below. The reverse of the blade is engraved on the shoulder with the words 'REILLY 502 OXFORD ST LONDON', a crown over the Royal cipher 'VR' with decoration above and below. The black leather scabbard has a gilt locket and chape. There is a frog button on the locket and the end of the chape is ornamented. This is an exceptionally heavy and well-balanced dirk.