There has been a marked increase in the collecting interest of these era Naval pieces. As more and more information comes to light, I predict these edged weapons will rise in price to incredible heights. They each individually represent an unbelievable period of history--from colonization of Africa and China, to the battle of Jutland--from the scuttling of the Imperial Fleet at Scapa Flow to the rise of the menacing Kreigsmarine. Plan to increase your net worth with a wise purchase now-- and feel the ocean waves as the "Lusitania" goes to the bottom!
IMPNVL #22890 1919 Reich Provisional Naval Dirk
This is a choice
Naval Dirk, which is extremely rare and should be desirable. It
is similar to the examples I show in my Naval book on Pages 182-183.
This example has a ball top with the new crossguard design having
quillon ends with fluted designs. The ball top has the reeds and
cattail motif with cresting waves at the base. It is a fine, brass
fitting showing fairly good detail, most of which is attributed
to period hand enhancing. This pommel is peened over preventing
a takedown status. The fine crossguard has good detail to the
Naval fouled anchor center block on the obverse. The reverse has
the little flower design and there is a blade release button drilled
through the center area. This crossguard would be one of the first
examples we see of the final design the German Naval crossguard
would take. The grip is the black celluloid-over-wood variety.
This grip is in totally perfect condition having a fine sheen
to its surfaces. It has seven ribs running downward from right
to left. These ribs are tightly wrapped with a silvered, springy
wire. Nice hilt here! The tube-style, black scabbard is straight
throughout and is finished in a blued surface. The bluing is still
in perfect condition and the ending button at the chape is in
brass as is the throat assembly. This contrast between the two
colors is quite effective looking. The upper portion of this blued
scabbard is fitted with a bayonet-style lug. This is the only
fitting that was ever present on this example, so it would have
always been carried vertically. The brass throat is retained by
two matching steel side screws. Attached to this fine, rarely
seen, scabbard is a slim line, delicate brown leather hanger.
This hanger has a loop at the bottom, which nicely goes under
the scabbard lug. There is a belt loop built-in design, and a
grip-retaining loop with strap. This fine, rarely seen, accouterment
is in the same choice condition as the rest of this Dirk. The
blade is one of the common, cheaply made styles we see on these
1919 pieces. It is a double-edged variety having a short ricasso
forming a “V” design to the blade center ridge. This
blade appears identical to the one shown on Page 83. It has a
good, nickel-plated surface and remains nice and bright. In fact,
this blade is in mint condition. It has a release block as indicated
above and is also protected by a tan, felt blade buffer showing
some age and wear. This buffer is original to the piece. This
is a very fine, authentic example, which would be a key piece
for the early Naval collector.Near Mint. $3495.00