RARE! 1830s SHEFFIELD AMERICAN EAGLE FOLDING DIRK 4XMAS INVEST IN ANTIQUES! ITS PROFITABLE, FUN & EXCITING! Start Price USD 1,274.95 Current Price USD 1,274.95 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Thursday, November 27, 2008 End Time Saturday, December 27, 2008 Location Fairfield, California See more about 'RARE! 1830s SHEFFIELD AMERICAN EAGLE FOLDING DIRK 4XMAS' Description FINE & RARE EARLY 1830-1837 SHEFFIELD FOLDING DIRK KNIFE with AMERICAN EAGLE HILTClick to EnlargeClick to EnlargeClick to EnlargeClick to EnlargeClick to EnlargeClick to EnlargeClick to EnlargeClick to EnlargeClick to EnlargeClick to EnlargeClick to EnlargeClick to EnlargeDescription:RARE AMERICAN EAGLE FOLDING DIRK KNIFE by J. MORTON, SHEFFIELD CIRCA 1830-1837Fine and RARE Sheffield very early 19th Century Folding Dirk knife by James Morton, Sheffield. The ricasso is hot stamped "W crown R", "James", "Morton", "Corn", and "Hill" in 4 lines. This address suggests a London address, so it is possible Morton was a London retailer. Regardless, almost all English knives from this period were made in Sheffield. The Regent mark on this dirk dates it between the 1830 to 1837 period. There is a J. Morton listed in Goins Directory at 223 Oxford Street, but is is unknown is this is the same James Morton. During most of the 19th century there was little law and order, and it was "every man for himself". Men were often at risk of being waylaid by thugs, ner' do goods, thieves, robbers, and bandits; and typically carried a cap and ball percussion pistol for self-protection. The revolver wasn't invented until 1836 by Samuel Colt, and were expensive and not readily available. Gentlemen would typically carry a brace of single shot percussion pistols which were prone to misfiring. Gentlemen would also typically carry a folding knife in their pocket or vest; or sometimes a less expensive fixed blade dirk as a side knife on their belt as a back up weapon. Folding dirks were expensive at the time, and are many times rarer than their fixed blade counterparts. The Dirk overall is 9 1/8" long open, with a single edged 3 31/32" long spear triangular shaped dirk blade. The blade has been properly sharpened over time, but not cleaned since it's distant past. There are small spots of light pitting on both sides of the blade, as well as sharpening marks and a few age spots, as to be expected. There is slightly deeper pitting on the top edge of the blade, where, over time, moisture has been exposed to the portions of the steel blade that extends outside the protection of the brass lined hilt. This is normal wear for a knife that is 171 to 178 years old; and is in used, but not abused condition. When you run you finger over the sharpened edge, there are no nicks to the blade, and the blade retains it's correct shape with a full tip. This knife, as are many of the early folding dirks, is not a lock back style. However, the blade "locks" tightly in the open locked position by the natural force of the strong one piece back spring, with just a small amount of play forward and backward, and a slight wiggle side to side. This is perfectly normal wear for a knife that 170+ years old. The blade has a half-stop notch, with a very strong snap when closing. The Master pin is peened Iron, and original. The lower hilt pin is German silver and matches the hilt. The scales are very unusual; hollow stamped, 3 dimensional, one-piece German silver that is lead filled. Almost all hollow stamped hilts are filled with cutler's cement. However the lead filling makes this dirk extremely unusual and rare; as well as hefty for it's size. This dirk weighs 3.7 ounces. The initials O.G. are inscribed on the front scale flat that acts as an escutcheon plate. The liners are brass with fancy milled edges. The fancy ribbed hilt border with leaf motif is a very unusual pattern. The pommels are stamped in the 3 dimensional form of the very desirable American Eagle with a shield on it's chest. This folding dirk was made in Sheffield for the burgeoning American Market, and intended for a wealthy gentleman to use as a self defense back up weapon. The German silver scales are in excellent condition overall, with normal wear, light dings, and scratches, which is perfectly normal and acceptable for a dirk from the 1830s period. For it's extreme age, this dirk is in excellent condition overall, with no damage, repairs or alterations. These folding dirk knives were made only as a self-defence weapon for personal protection, and were completely hand forged and hand made using only the simplest of hand tools. This rare Sheffield folding dirk knife, with the Eagle motif made for the American market place, would make a handsome addition and excellent investment for any knife, pocket knife, folder, dirk, folding dirk, Sheffield, Sheffield dirk, Sheffield dagger, Sheffield knife, American, Bowie, Sheffield BowieCivil War, gambling, Old West, Western Americana, or Military Officer's accoutrement collection.PLEASE CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS & SERVICES OFFERED BY WEST COAST TRADING POST BY CLICKING ON THE "ME" BUTTON IN MY EBAY LISTINGS; OR, COPYING AND PASTING THIS URL: http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=1knifeguy1Shipping :Shipping and handling are free, and allows completion of the transaction with just a few clicks of the mouse via PayPal. Payment :PAYPAL PAYMENT ONLY! 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