What is origin of this dagger?

A. G. Maisey · 15th May 2007, 06:55 AM

Shown are photos of a recently acquired dagger.

Length is a bit more than 12 inches, overall.

Hilt plates are horn.

Can anybody suggest a geographic point of origin, or approximate age?

Thank you.

Tim Simmons · 15th May 2007, 07:53 PM

It looks like a European "main gauche" How old? Could span three hundred years or more.

I would gamble on it being late 1700s early 1800. That is just a complete guess.

Andrew · 15th May 2007, 08:13 PM

Alan, what's that plate at the forte made of?

A. G. Maisey · 15th May 2007, 11:09 PM

Thanks for your opinion, Tim.

Yeah, general condition seems to indicate the period you mention, but it is quite a bit smaller than any main gauche I have seen.

Andrew, I have not yet tested this material. When purchased it was completely covered in dirt, and I thought it was brass, however, after a good wash with a kitchen degreaser, and scrub with a soft toothbrush, it came up glittering. Brass does not clean so easily. I suspect that it is possibly gilt. It is a two part thing, with a thin foil underneath that has a copper, or rose-gold colour. When I get a chance, I'll get a friend, who is a jeweller, to test it.

Marc · 16th May 2007, 11:00 AM

I'm afraid I disagree. "Main Guache" daggers, despite their geographical and chronological variety, share some features that makes them able to be used in fencing together with a sword, and this one doesn't seem to be really fit for the task, I'm sorry.
On the other hand (pun intended), it does seem to feature some "european" influence, in a somewhat crude way. I can't really offer much more, other than what I've already said, I'm clueless.

A. G. Maisey · 16th May 2007, 01:46 PM

Thanks for your contribution Marc.

It definitely does seem to be European---at least it is totally unlike any Eastern dagger I have ever handled---and I've handled a lot.

Tatyana Dianova · 18th May 2007, 06:50 AM

Hermann Historica has similar one and tells it is from Afghanistan:
http://www.hermann-historica.de/aukt...db=kat52_A.txt

15th May 2007, 06:55 AM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,853	What is origin of this dagger? Shown are photos of a recently acquired dagger. Length is a bit more than 12 inches, overall. Hilt plates are horn. Can anybody suggest a geographic point of origin, or approximate age? Thank you. Attached Images

15th May 2007, 07:53 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,780	It looks like a European "main gauche" How old? Could span three hundred years or more. I would gamble on it being late 1700s early 1800. That is just a complete guess.

15th May 2007, 08:13 PM	#3
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Alan, what's that plate at the forte made of?

15th May 2007, 11:09 PM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,853	Thanks for your opinion, Tim. Yeah, general condition seems to indicate the period you mention, but it is quite a bit smaller than any main gauche I have seen. Andrew, I have not yet tested this material. When purchased it was completely covered in dirt, and I thought it was brass, however, after a good wash with a kitchen degreaser, and scrub with a soft toothbrush, it came up glittering. Brass does not clean so easily. I suspect that it is possibly gilt. It is a two part thing, with a thin foil underneath that has a copper, or rose-gold colour. When I get a chance, I'll get a friend, who is a jeweller, to test it.

16th May 2007, 11:00 AM	#5
Marc Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Madrid / Barcelona Posts: 256	I'm afraid I disagree. "Main Guache" daggers, despite their geographical and chronological variety, share some features that makes them able to be used in fencing together with a sword, and this one doesn't seem to be really fit for the task, I'm sorry. On the other hand (pun intended), it does seem to feature some "european" influence, in a somewhat crude way. I can't really offer much more, other than what I've already said, I'm clueless.

16th May 2007, 01:46 PM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,853	Thanks for your contribution Marc. It definitely does seem to be European---at least it is totally unlike any Eastern dagger I have ever handled---and I've handled a lot.

18th May 2007, 06:50 AM	#7
Tatyana Dianova Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 689	Hermann Historica has similar one and tells it is from Afghanistan: http://www.hermann-historica.de/aukt...db=kat52_A.txt