Left Hand Dagger?

[corrado26]

Some additional fotos of the dagger's tip of both sides and fotos which demonstrate that the dagger is very well balanced.

[fernando]

Interesting; the recess occurs in the edge sides but not on the ridges.

[Jim McDougall]

The grip shape is most unusual as noted. These left hand daggers came in around mid 16th c. and fell into disuse for fencing soon after the 17th c. according to Egerton Castle (1885, p.246). However in its latter existence it was "...of a very reduced type, approximating that of a stiletto and its guard consisting merely of straight quillons with a small ring".

However in Spain the hand covered guard type known as main gauche' came into use for some time later.

It seems most of these had fluted cylindrical grips, a lot of those German with the ringed guard like this, but the styling on this hilt is most unusual. The blade with what seems almost like an armor piercing point is as well. The ring indicates this was a fencing dagger, as a guard to protect knuckles if an errant blade slipped in a parry.

That 'star' ,mark on the guard it seems I have seen somewhere, but the only mark like it in a stand alone situation is from a non illustrated knife in "Knives and Scabbards", (Cowgill, de Neergaard, Griffiths, 1987, #174) stating it is early 15th c. Naturally this is a bit early for this dagger, but thought it worthy of mention.....the region unfortunately not stated but mostly from British excavations.

[corrado26]

Thanks a lot for your help. Maybe that the mention of Spain as probable origin hits the nail: I got it from a Spanish collector.

[midelburgo]

Could it be an artillerist dagger?

To clean the gun touchhole.

[mariusgmioc]

I consider this a rather clear example of a STILETTO.

Absolutely not a left-hand dagger.

[cel7]

I agree with mariusgmioc, this is an italian stiletto.