V (crown) R - William Rodgers Dirk

[Shotgun Steve]

V (crown) R - William Rodgers Celebrated Dirk Knife stamped on this near mint blade. Blade has some sharpening marks, but retains much of the original finish. Blade is tight, but the guard is a little loose. German silver guard, ferrule and fancy pommel. Ivory handle is missing an oval inset on one side. The blade is 6 inches long and 10 1/2 inches overall. Despite missing the German silver tip of the sheath, the blade does not stick out of the sheath....the sheath retains the original deep green color with gold accents, German silver throat and frog stud. Great early knife with a wonderful pommel and stampings. Click on the photo to enlarge.

[Galloway]

Was the term dirk used loosley at the time, or are there qualities a blade must have to be considerd one?

[Chance]

I am puzzled as to why a firearms proof mark is stamped on a knife blade.

Chance

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[Josh Dabney]

Galloway,

I was thinking the same thing.

Only thing I can figure is the blade is Sharpened all along the top edge all the way to the guard giving the blade "dirk" status. 

Sure looks like your standard clip point.

Certainly not a dagger.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirk

Only thing I saw in this definition is at the end where it says USA meaning =double edged knife

-Josh

[ChuckBurrows]

V crown R - was not just a proof mark for English firearms, but was a mark that denoted that the maker was a supplier to the Royal Family - in this case the family of Victoria Regina aka Queen Victoria (in her fathers time it was G crown R). Makers of all kinds of goods including clothes, boots, hankies, etc. used the mark upon becoming a supplier of goods to the Crown. As a firearms proof mark it meant that the firearm had been proofed at one of the "Royal" proof houses.
When we see the term Dirk one generally thinks of the long taper bladed, single edged Scottish Dirks, but the term was also used during the 18th and 19th Centuries for various types of knives including Naval Dirks which were built in different styles: saber style with a single edged and curved blade, a double edged dagger, and later when they became more of an accoutrement rather than a weapon, very fancy dress types were made in several blade patterns. Whether a knife had two edges or a single edge did not necessarily determine the usage of the term dirk.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Thanks for the explanation, CB.

That's a handsome knife.  I sure like the work and style - and colour - of the sheath.  Again, thanks for ALL your postings, Steve!

[Chance]

Steve, is it possible to show a good clear close up of that V(crown)R marking?

Chance

[Shotgun Steve]

Sorry Chance that was the only picture available and I can't blow it up
without distorting it. I am not a computer person. Maybe someone else can help us out??
 Shotgun Steve