Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Royal Naval Georgian Period Midshipman’s Dirk, a very fine and scarce example, the curved unfullered blade (approx 16.5ins) with a 6-inch fighting point, with remains of blue and gilt decoration, features a crowned ‘GR’ and simple floral decoration, the reverse with trophies of halberds and a cannon barrel, a fine swept quillon with bulbous leaf finials, the shaped ivory hand grip with three-quarter chequered decoration, the gilt backstrap with raised lion’s mask and mane, the hand-guard chain of double link featuring alternate sections of plain and chased rings, overall length 20 inches; the scabbard of black leather with three gilt chapes (2 carrying rings) and the original and complete waist belt, this of woven blue linen with diagonal rise and fall ribbing, the fittings in chased fire gilt all present, the clasp with lions’ heads supports and ‘S’ shaped swan’s head fastener, further double lion headed buckles and waist supports, gilt sprung ‘dog lead’ attachments, the blade sound but discoloured, the hilt section loose but all present, the bottom split ring on the chain guard a replacement, the gilt sections rubbed on the weapon and scabbard but in near mint state on the waist belt £700-900