In good condition, a George V British Royal Naval Officer’s Dirk with initials S.A.G. St.J
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We could only find one RN officer whose initials are S.A.G. St.J, as engraved to the top locket of the scabbard, for Lieutenant S.A.G. St. John (pronounced “Singen”), commissioned 13th April 1939, who went down aboard HMS Calcutta on 1st June 1941. They are such rare initials, we presume the dirk was his, despite his being commisioned during the reign of King George VI (the dirk is etched to George V). The St. John family are, after all, a generational, even famous Royal Naval family and the dirk may well have been a heir loom. Based on the etching, the lack of a maker’s / retailer’s name, the aging (wear etc.), we’d say this dirk dates to 1917 to 1919. Family tree researchers!!!
The 17 7/8 inch blade is in fairly good condition, some polished out pitting and wear, firm in the hilt. The hilt a little aged but good. The white fishskin grip is generally good but has a very small patch where the nodules have gone; twisted grip wire bindings are good. The knot is aged and a little faded / grubby but still good. The leather and brass fittings scabbard is a little faded / aged but good (small dent to upper fitting). The dirk sheathes and draws well. The locking mechanism works too.
A good dirk with stacks of research potential. Yours for was £? (too late, now sold). Please quote item reference AI26. Full sized / further images available upon request. Box 1948 69 x 15 x 16 (1.245).
