Rare Antique English William Palmer Combination Navy Dirk / Pistol
Description:
This is an extremely rare naval dirk with an integrally mounted flintlock pistol of about .25 caliber. 8 3/4" dirk blade. 12 1/2" overall. All polished steel construction mounted with what appears to be fluted walrus bone grip. The blade is marked with what appears to be an eagle or sunburst proof but nothing else. The reverse side of the blade is mounted with a 3/4" frizzen pan and spring. The finial is typical of the period. The obverse has a 66mm or a 2 5/8" flint barrel constructed in the typical cannon style. Engraved on the top of the barrel is the name "W. Palmer". Research has found a William Palmer operating at 104 Lionel Street Birmingham (1817-1830). This maker principally sold to the provincial trade. We would suggest that this piece was probably built in his earlier years of operation. The tiny cock is engraved on both sides with a fish. The guard is shell shaped and engraved with a fouled anchor. The engraving is consistent with that encountered on arms of the period. The pommel cap is also consistent with the period. The use of iron/steel of the fixtures indicates that this is a piece of some cost as it would have been much cheaper to fabricate the dirk with brass mounts. For reference see pages 163 & 164 of the "Price Guide to Antique Edged Weapons" by Leslie Southwick(1982). The pieces as illustrated are hunting swords and not of the same size. They do however show a similar style of construction of a similar dirk pistol. This pistol dirk is a rather scarce variation to the traditional naval dirk. Based on the style and type of construction it is a piece that was obviously built for someone of means. A beautiful and unique combination antique weapon for the serious collector. Antique
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