id small pretty letter opener

vitorvt · 2nd March 2026, 08:29 PM

I finally found the forum I was looking for. If it's not here, then I don't know...
I'm Vitor T., I'm in Lisbon, Portugal, and for a few months now I've been trying to identify this small, beautiful letter opener that I inherited from my father.

I've already received the opinion of some experts, namely:
it's not Spanish,
it's from South America,
and the latest, which also seems most likely to me, is that it's a hunting knife "Jagdknicker", probably from eastern Germany or possibly western Central Europe, neo-Gothic style, 19th century around 1850-1860. I would like to confirm this identification.

There are a few issues. The mark or signature Jst. remains unidentified. Another is that after looking at thousands of images of knives and swords on the internet, I have yet to find others with the geometric elements of brass on the handle, or the composition and design of the handle, the figures on the blade, the shape of the blade, or a similar sheath.

Please help.
Thank you.

Battara · 3rd March 2026, 05:40 AM

Greetings and welcome to our little forum!

Since it is European, I'll move this over to the European section where they could provide more help.

I don't know about it being a letter opener, but I like it.

Sajen · 3rd March 2026, 05:43 AM

Hello Vitor,

Welcome to the forum!
In my humble opinion you have a very old and nice "Nicker" (not Knicker) from Germany or from Austria. I have a small collection of these hunting daggers which are also part of the traditional costume in parts of both countries.

Regards,
Detlef

vitorvt · 3rd March 2026, 05:51 PM

Thank you.
Sajen, I happen to have a similar one. But it's not the same thing.

Sajen · Yesterday, 12:47 AM

They come in many different forms but the blade shape is the giveaway. The one in question from you seems to be very old, I never have seen a similar one. But it's for sure a "nicker"!

Regards,
Detlef

vitorvt · Yesterday, 03:37 PM

By very old, do you mean and agree on 1850–1860? Or older?

Sajen · Yesterday, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vitorvt

By very old, do you mean and agree on 1850–1860? Or older?

I can't put a real date on your nicker but I think that it's clearly from the 19th century.
I personally would clean it up a little bit.

vitorvt · Today, 12:04 PM

Yes, I am waiting for the products to arrive: Renaissance Wax, Metal De-Corroder and Surface Cleaner (advertising aside), steel wool 0000 and scrubbing fiber pads. I don't know if I can clean the black stains, I think they're too ingrained, we'll see.

gp · Today, 01:59 PM

Be carefull if or when cleaning it ...in order not to damage the yellowish ( gold ?) decoration on the blade !

'Bom dia !

It for certain is no letter opener but a smal knife or dagger originating from the region of the Holy Roman Empire (Sacrum Imperium Romanum Nationis Germanicae )based upon the type and decoration of the blade ;
most likely a saint as seen on many coins and coat of arms from Ragusa to Pomerania. Or a later copy of this style from the Iberian region...( the latter could make sense due to the historical Habsburgian connection Mexico, Spain, Austria...)

The type of knife is quite common found like Sajen stated in the Germanic speaking countries and neighbouring countries.

Indeed the grip is very interesting based upon the geometrical decoration which could indicate :

- either a fancy re-creation ( tourist?) at around 1900 or
- what I believe to be a beautiful piece like the filigree art on the grip as one sees in the Mediteranean countries and also Portugal from its style....

What is the grip made of ? Horn or bone?
And the scabbard? what metal and leather? Please use some colorless oil to clean and feed it, brings it back to life and maybe also shows better the decoration on the scabbard ( could help or be an indication of its origin as well) ...

So a lot of questions but anyway a very nice piece for sure !

2nd March 2026, 08:29 PM	#1
vitorvt Member Join Date: Mar 2026 Posts: 4	id small pretty letter opener I finally found the forum I was looking for. If it's not here, then I don't know... I'm Vitor T., I'm in Lisbon, Portugal, and for a few months now I've been trying to identify this small, beautiful letter opener that I inherited from my father. I've already received the opinion of some experts, namely: it's not Spanish, it's from South America, and the latest, which also seems most likely to me, is that it's a hunting knife "Jagdknicker", probably from eastern Germany or possibly western Central Europe, neo-Gothic style, 19th century around 1850-1860. I would like to confirm this identification. There are a few issues. The mark or signature Jst. remains unidentified. Another is that after looking at thousands of images of knives and swords on the internet, I have yet to find others with the geometric elements of brass on the handle, or the composition and design of the handle, the figures on the blade, the shape of the blade, or a similar sheath. Please help. Thank you. Attached Images

3rd March 2026, 05:43 AM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,619	Hello Vitor, Welcome to the forum! In my humble opinion you have a very old and nice "Nicker" (not Knicker) from Germany or from Austria. I have a small collection of these hunting daggers which are also part of the traditional costume in parts of both countries. Regards, Detlef Attached Images

3rd March 2026, 05:51 PM	#4
vitorvt Member Join Date: Mar 2026 Posts: 4	Thank you. Sajen, I happen to have a similar one. But it's not the same thing. Attached Images

3rd March 2026, 05:40 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,379	Greetings and welcome to our little forum! Since it is European, I'll move this over to the European section where they could provide more help. I don't know about it being a letter opener, but I like it.

Yesterday, 12:47 AM	#5
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,619	They come in many different forms but the blade shape is the giveaway. The one in question from you seems to be very old, I never have seen a similar one. But it's for sure a "nicker"! Regards, Detlef

Yesterday, 03:37 PM	#6
vitorvt Member Join Date: Mar 2026 Posts: 4	By very old, do you mean and agree on 1850–1860? Or older?

Today, 12:04 PM	#8
vitorvt Member Join Date: Mar 2026 Posts: 4	Yes, I am waiting for the products to arrive: Renaissance Wax, Metal De-Corroder and Surface Cleaner (advertising aside), steel wool 0000 and scrubbing fiber pads. I don't know if I can clean the black stains, I think they're too ingrained, we'll see.

Today, 01:59 PM	#9
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 980	Be carefull if or when cleaning it ...in order not to damage the yellowish ( gold ?) decoration on the blade ! 'Bom dia ! It for certain is no letter opener but a smal knife or dagger originating from the region of the Holy Roman Empire (Sacrum Imperium Romanum Nationis Germanicae )based upon the type and decoration of the blade ; most likely a saint as seen on many coins and coat of arms from Ragusa to Pomerania. Or a later copy of this style from the Iberian region...( the latter could make sense due to the historical Habsburgian connection Mexico, Spain, Austria...) The type of knife is quite common found like Sajen stated in the Germanic speaking countries and neighbouring countries. Indeed the grip is very interesting based upon the geometrical decoration which could indicate : - either a fancy re-creation ( tourist?) at around 1900 or - what I believe to be a beautiful piece like the filigree art on the grip as one sees in the Mediteranean countries and also Portugal from its style.... What is the grip made of ? Horn or bone? And the scabbard? what metal and leather? Please use some colorless oil to clean and feed it, brings it back to life and maybe also shows better the decoration on the scabbard ( could help or be an indication of its origin as well) ... So a lot of questions but anyway a very nice piece for sure !