Ancient Thracian Dagger found in Bulgaria

[Laurie W]

Here are two Macherias that are supposed to be actual finds. The one with the scabbard has an "eagle's head" and "star" engraved on the blade. The customer asked us to engrave this on his.

The one in his posession, was in better condition than the more rusted of the two here. However his macheria's disk pommel and guard were intact and there was enough organic material to think the handle was bone. But wood was chosen and the tang did show rivet holes. The blade shape was like the better one of the two shown.

So were any of these fakes? (his piece and the two in the photographs) I do not think so myself. But if too many start cropping up, you can just bet a little cottage industry has grown up.