Hi Cathey,
No problem.
My Regards,
Norman.

Hi,
This should be of interest. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/30963
Regards,
Norman.

Addendum to my post #38,
I found some notes referring to that San RoqE inscription and a rough sketch of an apparent example I was looking at with an oddly shaped grip, the same type of 'choil' form at blade forte below grip neck.
These seem to be an atavistic form in the style of Mediterranean dirks, which are often inscribed and with high relief scenes on blades, and the blade with this feature which has often been termed the 'Mediterranean notch'.

While obviously this is a more a sword than dirk, it is atavistic in recalling the forward curved form called falcata (or macheira) as an Iberian sword of 3rd-4th c.
Online entries refer to these as 'la falcata de Almedinilla' near Cordoba in Andalusian Spain. Andalusia was of course the Moorish region until the Reconquista of 15th c. but that heritage remains. In entries concerning the village of Almedinilla, it is noted that a unique feature culturally there is the use of hunting scenes decoratively used on curtains etc.
While perhaps not pertinent, seemed worthy of note.

These examples are of the falcata type, and seem to have often favored stylized horse head pommels.

Cathey, just to add more........nada in the Reid book, so still no idea where I saw the other example.
From, "Gauchos: The Vanishing Frontier" R.Slatte, 1992 p.74

"...all Gauchos carried a sheathed knife, or facon, ranging up to 27" in length, thrust through the back in tirador (belt). "
"..this sword like knife was repeatedly outawed because of the mahy murders committed by facon wielding Gauchos, and shrank to a more modest length by end of 19th c,.
Although firearms became more common during the last quarter of the century, the facon remained the favored weapon"


Of course, this deviates from the shikargar theme here, but as the scope is expanding further, and chiseled blades are discussed just wanted to add these notes.

In considering the scope of the hunt as practiced in the 'East', I am wondering if this is just Middle East and Asia, including Orient, or in the regions formerly regarded as 'Moorish' such as Andalusia.

Spelling San Roque ...
 

You will notice that the skilled (but possibly illiterate) engraver failed to include the 'U' in San Roque's name. But if you look twice, it is visible that he later became aware of the flaw and included a tiny 'V' in the name, as in the old days the 'U' was written with a 'V'.


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