A Naval Dirk

A Naval Dirk dates from Catherine II's reign, commonly known as Catherine the Great. It is also one of the most expensive knives in the wo

This dagger, known as a "naval dirk," was employed by navy officers for personal defense or hand-to-hand fighting. The steel blade has the Imperial arms of Catherine II stamped on one side, and an anchor on the other, suggesting its employment by the navy under Empress Catherine.

When Christie's auction house sold this knife in 2008, experts assessed its worth to be roughly $8,000 at best. When the actual price nearly reached $30,000, such projections proved to be wrong. Did you know that? This knife was marketed in conjunction with its black leather sheath.

Estimated Value: $27,000

Origin: Russia

Time Period: 18th century