2012 CLA Live Auction: War of 1812 Midshipman’s Dirk by Glenn Mock

The war of 1812 was ignited over our right to free trade and unrestricted shipping. To demand these rights, our fledgling maritime force had to square off with the Kings own royal Navy. Britannia prided her ability to rule the seas, and her fighting ships and the sailors that manned them were some of the best disciplined and equipped in the world at that time. That didn't stop us from taking them on head to head, both on the great lakes and on the open oceans. Determined to fight with whatever means they had available, our brave fighting men were often forced to arm themselves as best as they could with their own private weapons instead of relying on the government to provide them with regulation issue, and this midshipman's dirk was just such a private weapon, and it would have found service in the hands of just such a man.

An 1812 era midshipmans dagger by Glenn Mock

In honor of these fighting mariners, Glenn Mock has crafted a very fine Midshipman’s dirk for our CLA “War of 1812” live auction. Glenn told us that “this dirk is a copy of an original Napoleonic / War of 1812 period English/American Midshipman’s Dirk. It is not a bench copy since I only had good photos and measurements to go by.”

The sheath and dagger

Glenn forged the double edge blade from 1095 steel, and crafted the guard from brass. He turned the handle from black walnut, and capped the pommel in brass sheeting.

The dagger's handle

Detail of the period engraving on the brass sheath

Detail of the brass hilt and Glenn's touch mark

According to Glenn, the sheath was the hardest part of this project. Like the pommel cap, it is fashioned from sheet brass, as well as round and half round brass wire. All of the scabbard’s seams were silver soldered. As a finishing touch, Glenn closely copied the decorative period engraving style found on the original.

Glenn states: “I owe my knife-making start to my wife, and to my longtime friend Doug Delsemme. He encouraged me to attend a knife making class that Cousin Willy, Hershel and John House were teaching.” That seminar and those three talented teachers really helped to set him on his way.

Glenn started shooting black powder in 1968 and in 1969, and built his first engraved powder horn then. He made a full time living for several years as a horner, shrimshander, and as a silver and gold smith. Glenn says that he also owes much to artisans like Ray Miller, Jerry Riness and many others that have helped him through the years.

Besides making knives, Glenn and his wife operate a guest ranch called the “Mockville Land and Cattle Co.” in Missouri, where they raise horses and cattle, and rent cabins to the “city folks who want a taste of country life”.


For more information about the auction or CLA membership please visit: Longrifle

Copy by T.C. Albert with photos by David Wright.