Antique Dirk

**McMurdo** · 13th July 07, 03:33 AM

Thanks for the link Phil.

**Arlen** · 13th July 07, 02:30 PM

A beautiful piece.
You still get the odd Forsyth article in the antique stores here.
From what I recall, they were highly prized.

**beloitpiper** · 14th July 07, 02:34 PM

GORGEOUS

I'm drooling over it.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 8th July 08, 01:29 PM

In all probability your Forsyth dirk was made in Sheffield (or possibly London). Back in the day many firms (including Wilkinson Sword) supplied swords and dirks to all of the top quality outfitters, both in Scotland and England. These "tailor swords" were marked with the name of the retailer rather than the actual maker. All swords supplied to the trade by Wilkinson were numbered on the back of the blade at the ricasso; some, but unfortunately not all dirks were also numbered at Wilkinson's. Judging by the quality of the etching it is obvious that both of these dirks are strictly "top quality".

**Dukeof Kircaldy** · 8th July 08, 01:53 PM

If you can find any of the Hallmarks on the dirks, they would indicate when and where the dirk was made. Hallmarking though is more of a silver smithing than I know. I do know there are loads of references on the subject though.