P1796 L.C.-hilted long dirk
Aug 11, 2021 5:04:19 GMT
Post by glendon on Aug 11, 2021 5:04:19 GMT
Hi, folks!
First time making a new thread, so standard newbie caveats apply. Redirect or remove or reprimand as necessary.
Awhile back, I did living history as part of an outdoor education camp in Ohio, and I got into black powder shooting, tomahawk throwing, and I developed a taste for long knives. I've recently been trying my hand at, well, not smithing, but re-profiling and -hilting blades. I put together a Frankenstein piece that might have just a whiff of historical accuracy, given the exigencies of the time; say Lower Canada/Upper Midwest circa 1812. A P1796 L.C., broken in some skirmish, found by a Scots trapper; in the waste-not-want-not manner of both Scots and frontiersmen, the hilt is affixed to an heirloom dirk blade by this enterprising laddie, who has come to appreciate the additional hand protection--it comes in very handy in the tavern and the woods.
In one of my more favorite authors' books (Louis L'Amour's Sackett's Land), he describes a knife fight between two men, wherein the protagonist remarks at the great length of his opponents knife, at 15 inches. Louis L'Amour, however you regard his stories, was a stickler for historical accuracy; I have no doubt he had seen such a blade. And, there were Scots dirks in America from early on. So here it is, "Hume's Polite Discourse".
The blade is 16" long, and 38mm wide at base. The spine is merely a ground-down edge of about 1.5 mm thickness, but she's 5 mm thick at the middle of the base, tapering to 3mm at the point. The indentations are set 1" apart, not to delineate sawteeth, but for use as a ruler. The balance point is 2.5" out. The overall length is 21". I do not know how much she weighs, but probably over 1.5 lbs. She's both pinned and peened. I am in the middle of trying to put a patina on her, but getting a lassie to age quickly is usually contrary to her wishes.
I am interested in hearing from those knowledgeable on the subject as to the actual usefulness of such a weapon, with understanding of the context: There wasn't much maille floating about Ohio in 1812. (Although, in the manner of all historical frontiers, weird anachronistic objects and behaviors emerge. I wouldn't be surprised to learn a Shawnee chief wore one.) I also am interested in the opinions of those also into long knives, who may or may not have knowledge on the subject. What the hell guys, would you ride the river and take her over the mountain with ya?
First time making a new thread, so standard newbie caveats apply. Redirect or remove or reprimand as necessary.
Awhile back, I did living history as part of an outdoor education camp in Ohio, and I got into black powder shooting, tomahawk throwing, and I developed a taste for long knives. I've recently been trying my hand at, well, not smithing, but re-profiling and -hilting blades. I put together a Frankenstein piece that might have just a whiff of historical accuracy, given the exigencies of the time; say Lower Canada/Upper Midwest circa 1812. A P1796 L.C., broken in some skirmish, found by a Scots trapper; in the waste-not-want-not manner of both Scots and frontiersmen, the hilt is affixed to an heirloom dirk blade by this enterprising laddie, who has come to appreciate the additional hand protection--it comes in very handy in the tavern and the woods.
In one of my more favorite authors' books (Louis L'Amour's Sackett's Land), he describes a knife fight between two men, wherein the protagonist remarks at the great length of his opponents knife, at 15 inches. Louis L'Amour, however you regard his stories, was a stickler for historical accuracy; I have no doubt he had seen such a blade. And, there were Scots dirks in America from early on. So here it is, "Hume's Polite Discourse".
The blade is 16" long, and 38mm wide at base. The spine is merely a ground-down edge of about 1.5 mm thickness, but she's 5 mm thick at the middle of the base, tapering to 3mm at the point. The indentations are set 1" apart, not to delineate sawteeth, but for use as a ruler. The balance point is 2.5" out. The overall length is 21". I do not know how much she weighs, but probably over 1.5 lbs. She's both pinned and peened. I am in the middle of trying to put a patina on her, but getting a lassie to age quickly is usually contrary to her wishes.
I am interested in hearing from those knowledgeable on the subject as to the actual usefulness of such a weapon, with understanding of the context: There wasn't much maille floating about Ohio in 1812. (Although, in the manner of all historical frontiers, weird anachronistic objects and behaviors emerge. I wouldn't be surprised to learn a Shawnee chief wore one.) I also am interested in the opinions of those also into long knives, who may or may not have knowledge on the subject. What the hell guys, would you ride the river and take her over the mountain with ya?