Help with origin of knive

albeau · 16th January 2025, 08:09 PM

Hi Folks, This knife was purchased at an estate sale.
I am curious as to the origin and approximate age of this knife.
I suspect it is of Chilean make .... Stacked hilt and triangular tang extension on base of blade. It is a well made, formidable knife and shows signs of daily use.
I've been hunting around the interwebbs for a couple of months and have only found one knife almost identical to this one on this website (2005 daveA).
I'd truly appreciate any insight as to its origin and age.
With respect,
Al Beausoleil

Sajen · 17th January 2025, 03:37 PM

Hello Al,

You're correct, your dagger is from Chile. I would guess that it is from the first quarter of the 20th century. At the weekend I'll take pictures from my example and will post them for comparison.
Attached is a pic. from another example.

Regards,
Detlef

Ian · 18th January 2025, 12:34 AM

Hi Al and welcome to the Forum,

Detlef has nailed it for you. The only thing I would add is that a straight, double-edged blade and a cross guard are both unusual for this type of hilt. As I expect you know already, this style of stacked hilt is found on many Chilean corvo. A straight double-edged dagger with a cross guard is much more a Spanish fashion, and I think this one may have been owned by a Chilean with a strong Spanish cultural heritage.

Nicely made knife and unusual.

Sajen · 18th January 2025, 10:20 AM

Here is a picture of some of my Chilean blades, corvos and two daggers.

albeau · 18th January 2025, 10:06 PM

Sajen and Ian thank you both for your replies!
It has been a pleasurable journey digging up clues on this blade.
This knife will kick start my meager collection of pocket and survival knives!

DaveA · 21st January 2025, 11:32 PM

Hello All.

Just for completeness, here is the Chilean knife in my collection referred to by Al.

-- Dave A.

16th January 2025, 08:09 PM	#1
albeau Member Join Date: Jan 2025 Posts: 2	Help with origin of knive Hi Folks, This knife was purchased at an estate sale. I am curious as to the origin and approximate age of this knife. I suspect it is of Chilean make .... Stacked hilt and triangular tang extension on base of blade. It is a well made, formidable knife and shows signs of daily use. I've been hunting around the interwebbs for a couple of months and have only found one knife almost identical to this one on this website (2005 daveA). I'd truly appreciate any insight as to its origin and age. With respect, Al Beausoleil Attached Images

17th January 2025, 03:37 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,409	Hello Al, You're correct, your dagger is from Chile. I would guess that it is from the first quarter of the 20th century. At the weekend I'll take pictures from my example and will post them for comparison. Attached is a pic. from another example. Regards, Detlef Attached Images

18th January 2025, 10:20 AM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,409	Here is a picture of some of my Chilean blades, corvos and two daggers. Attached Images

18th January 2025, 10:06 PM	#5
albeau Member Join Date: Jan 2025 Posts: 2	Sajen and Ian thank you both for your replies! It has been a pleasurable journey digging up clues on this blade. This knife will kick start my meager collection of pocket and survival knives! Last edited by Lee; 20th January 2025 at 01:18 PM.

21st January 2025, 11:32 PM	#6
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 432	My Chilean knife Hello All. Just for completeness, here is the Chilean knife in my collection referred to by Al. -- Dave A. Attached Images

18th January 2025, 12:34 AM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,515	Hi Al and welcome to the Forum, Detlef has nailed it for you. The only thing I would add is that a straight, double-edged blade and a cross guard are both unusual for this type of hilt. As I expect you know already, this style of stacked hilt is found on many Chilean corvo. A straight double-edged dagger with a cross guard is much more a Spanish fashion, and I think this one may have been owned by a Chilean with a strong Spanish cultural heritage. Nicely made knife and unusual.