Unknown dagger

corrado26 · 12th August 2016, 12:34 PM

This morning an friend of mine brought me this dagger which is absolutely unknown to me. I am sure that there is somebody who knows where this piece is originated and how old it might be. Thanks in advance
corrado26

Sajen · 12th August 2016, 12:46 PM

It's an Albacete dagger from Spain, very nice piece with all the cut outs at the blade.

Regards,
Detlef

Sajen · 12th August 2016, 12:51 PM

Here some links!

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...spanish+dagger
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...lbacete+dagger
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...lbacete+dagger
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...lbacete+dagger
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...lbacete+dagger

machinist · 12th August 2016, 04:10 PM

It is a nice example. These are often mid-identified as plug bayonets on the ebay

corrado26 · 12th August 2016, 05:25 PM

Thanks to everyone. You have been a great help in identifying this dagger and widening my knowledge
corrado 26

corrado26 · 14th January 2017, 05:21 PM

Just for info:

There has been a special exposition in the Museo Cuchelleria de Albacete in 2009and a small catalogue has been published under the titel "Cuchillos de Abacete Ttesoros de tres Siglos". This book is still available at a price of 35.-€.
corrado26

Jim McDougall · 14th January 2017, 06:21 PM

Very nice example of a distinctively Albacete hunting dagger. Thank you guys for adding links and especially noting reference sources.

Albacete was a town in SE Spain in the old Murcia province which specialized in making 'plug bayonets' for hunters probably at some point late 18th c but as the late Roger Evans ("The Plug Bayonet", 2002, p.159) notes, these were never used as bayonets per se' . Most examples date from 19th c, particularly c 1860s, 70s.
The distinctive 'dumb bell' shaped aperture in the blade (often holding brass inserts) are characteristic of Albacete, but not all examples have them. This feature does not have a satisfactory explanation other than being traditionally placed. There are a number of fanciful notions for its purpose but my own thought is that perhaps it may be a vestigial representation of the toggle type openings for cross bars used on hunting pole arms. These were ostensibly to prevent game such as wild boars 'pushing toward the hunter though impaled' as I have understood.

The pierced heart features according to similar example in Evans (op. cit.) indicate popular c. 1850-60 period.

Sajen · 14th January 2017, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corrado26

Just for info:

There has been a special exposition in the Museo Cuchelleria de Albacete in 2009and a small catalogue has been published under the titel "Cuchillos de Abacete Ttesoros de tres Siglos". This book is still available at a price of 35.-€.
corrado26

Thank you for information!

12th August 2016, 12:34 PM	#1
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,204	Unknown dagger This morning an friend of mine brought me this dagger which is absolutely unknown to me. I am sure that there is somebody who knows where this piece is originated and how old it might be. Thanks in advance corrado26 Attached Images

12th August 2016, 12:46 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,761	It's an Albacete dagger from Spain, very nice piece with all the cut outs at the blade. Regards, Detlef

12th August 2016, 12:51 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,761	Here some links! http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...spanish+dagger http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...lbacete+dagger http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...lbacete+dagger http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...lbacete+dagger http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...lbacete+dagger

12th August 2016, 04:10 PM	#4
machinist Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 93	It is a nice example. These are often mid-identified as plug bayonets on the ebay

12th August 2016, 05:25 PM	#5
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,204	Thanks to everyone. You have been a great help in identifying this dagger and widening my knowledge corrado 26

14th January 2017, 05:21 PM	#6
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,204	Just for info: There has been a special exposition in the Museo Cuchelleria de Albacete in 2009and a small catalogue has been published under the titel "Cuchillos de Abacete Ttesoros de tres Siglos". This book is still available at a price of 35.-€. corrado26

14th January 2017, 06:21 PM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,937	Very nice example of a distinctively Albacete hunting dagger. Thank you guys for adding links and especially noting reference sources. Albacete was a town in SE Spain in the old Murcia province which specialized in making 'plug bayonets' for hunters probably at some point late 18th c but as the late Roger Evans ("The Plug Bayonet", 2002, p.159) notes, these were never used as bayonets per se' . Most examples date from 19th c, particularly c 1860s, 70s. The distinctive 'dumb bell' shaped aperture in the blade (often holding brass inserts) are characteristic of Albacete, but not all examples have them. This feature does not have a satisfactory explanation other than being traditionally placed. There are a number of fanciful notions for its purpose but my own thought is that perhaps it may be a vestigial representation of the toggle type openings for cross bars used on hunting pole arms. These were ostensibly to prevent game such as wild boars 'pushing toward the hunter though impaled' as I have understood. The pierced heart features according to similar example in Evans (op. cit.) indicate popular c. 1850-60 period.