To Preserver and Interpret Dundee's Historic Past

Online Collections Database

Knife and sheath belonging to Captain Scott W 79.133.52

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Knife and sheath belonging to Captain Scott

Knife and sheath belonging to Captain Robert Falcon Scott as part of the National Antarctic Expedition 1901-1904. The knife bears a cast steel blade, which would have been capable of an incredibly sharp edge. The handle is made from Rosewood and features a steel lanyard ring at the end, this is uncommon for knives of this kind and was perhaps purposely added by Scott to suit the terrain. The blade is inscribed Robert Falcon Scott, Discovery, 1902 with an incised image of a penguin on the other side. The knife is stored within a vegetable tanned leather sheath with belt loop. This sheath has been deliberately shortened and three cuts made into the throat of the sheath. This is likely to have been done to aid the drawing of the knife, as the Antarctic temperatures and water ingress may have hardened the leather making drawing the knife difficult. The tip of the sheath has also been deliberately cut off, most probably to aid the draining of water.

Number: W 79.133.52
Name: Knife and sheath belonging to Captain Scott
Date: Not Specified
Maker: Not Specified
Location: On Display