Measuring about 18 3/4 inches in overall length, this weapon follows the archetypical profile of a Confederate combat knife, with a thick, sturdy blade terminating in a clipped point, and the rugged single piece handguard which lends the "D-Guard" its name. While such a weapon could serve a soldier as a utility tool during quieter moments, it was, first and foremost, an efficient weapon of last resort bridging the gap between the "Sheffield Bowie" which might have insufficient reach and a full size sword or bayonet-equipped rifle which would be cumbersome to carry about and limited in tight quarters. The blade is 12 7/8 inches long with a 2 3/4 inch back clip, nearly 2 inches of width across the base, and a thickness of about 3/16ths of an inch at the flat spine. The grip is a single piece of smooth hardwood with an oval cross-section, set inside the iron guard, which has a slight taper towards the unadorned pommel and a rounded rear quillion. Included with the knife is a black leather belt rig consisting of a sheath with brass frog stud, leather frog, and a rivet-decorated belt.