MOD Pipers' dirk v Indian-made dirk

[Ron Abbott]

and another with the H in a diamond....a commando knife this time:-

http://www.britishblades.com/forums/...es-Knife/page3

[OC Richard]

Many thanks Ron!

That Scots Guards dirk with nearly identical markings is very interesting!

Whoever "Diamond H" was (as we would call them, out here in the West, if that were a particular ranch's cattle-brand) they were obviously supplying dirks to the Army in 1986.

Offtopic, nearby here there's a town called Diamond Bar, built on the land of the former Diamond Bar Ranch. Cool that these old brands can end up as city names! Two local schools play a match each year, the winner of which gets possession of the actual branding iron
http://walnuthighschoolfootball.com/...game-this-week

I still wonder why a dirk made in 1986 would have the so-called Kings Crown on it. They're usually very careful to change the crowns on badges &c. Not that I'm complaining! Because I'll wear this dirk with my World Wars style kit.

Here's a neat article about the various crowns used on British military insignia

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/mike.co...RDNANCE/28.htm

[Ron Abbott]

Or maybe 'H' didn't supply....?

Perhaps that's the individual inspector's mark as someone on the other forum suggested? Seems a bit of a difference in time though between the commando dagger and the dirk.

The only 'H' the springs to mind is Hamilton and Inches of Edinburgh when it comes to silverware but I wouldn't for a second think that they would have anything to do with mass produced dirk blades, so I'd rule that out!

[OC Richard]

A kind person has told me that the diamond-H maker's mark is

F. E. and J. R. Hopkinson Limited. Cutlery and Tool Manufacturers. Trimils Works, London Road, Sheffield

(recently listed at Scotland Road, Sheffield)

This site gives markings found on British bayonets; scroll down to see the diamond-H

http://oldmilitarymarkings.com/brit_...ml#markings-gb

I found this information online:

J.Adams Ltd (Sheffield Knives) is a family business which has been making knives for six generations. They are also the parent company for three other long established brands F.E. and J.R. Hopkinson Ltd, established 14 June 1944; John Nowill and Sons Ltd, whose corporate name was granted by the Cutlers Company of Hallamshire on 27 April 1700 and Austin McGillivray and Co. They make hunting knives, throwing knives, bowie knives, commando knives, pocket knives, military knives, British Army pocket knives, Scottish knives, Scottish dirks, seamen’s knives, folding knives, clasp knives, safety knives, scrapers, crowbars, wrecking bars, punches, wedges, cold chisels, chandlers tools, rubber workers tools, painter’s knives, palette knives, kitchen knives, cook’s knives, butcher’s knives, trade knives, and scissors. They state on their website “we guarantee that all our knives are Sheffield made”.

[Ron Abbott]

Thanks! In all the years I've looked at militaria, bagpiping related accoutrements etc. I've never heard of that company!

That site with the markings is a great find!