A somewhat unusual faca de ponta for sharing

[Sajen]

I won this faca de ponta recently at a German auction. It's a somewhat unusual example since it doesn't show the usual brass or with other metals plated ricasso, also the blade shape is a little bit unusual.
It's 35 cm long inside scabbard, 34 cm without, the blade is 23,2 cm long.
One picture shows it together with some other long facas from my collection.

[RobT]

Sajen,

Here are six more examples. The first one shown has a whopping 12.5” (31.75cm) blade and is double edged with a scarf weld close to the hilt. The rest of the examples are of typical length. I am not sure if the brass sheath for number four is original to the dagger but it fits well. Number 5 has a bit of an odd looking blade. We will most likely never know why some FDP have a ricasso cover and some don’t but I wonder if if isn’t due to different areas of manufacture.

Sincerely,
RobT

[Sajen]

Hello Rob,

Thank you for your comments! And you could be correct, I just may have not seen enough examples of the long version without the ricasso but after some research I found long examples without ricasso. And also it's possible that it's a regional distinction if they have a ricasso or not.

Funny was the original description from the auction house:

"Finnish puukko with birch bark/brass handle and leather sheath. Overall length: approx. 34.5 cm. Materials: Carbon steel; handle made of stacked birch bark discs with brass spacers and brass end cap (tang riveted/peened at the top); sewn leather sheath with belt loop. Identification, origin, dating: The design, handle construction (stacked birch bark with brass rings), and end cap with continuous tang are typical of Finnish puukkos (Kauhava/Lapland tradition). The technique and function of the birch bark handle are described precisely as such in specialist and dealer literature. The narrow, single-edged blade type with a short shoulder and no guard, along with the simple leather scabbard with a high-set belt loop, correspond to common 20th-century spuukkos. Dating: based on workmanship, materials, and patina, circa 1930-1960 (mid-20th century), thus classic post-war/pre-war production. (Classification based on comparison to typical period mass-produced spuukkos with a uniform age patina and localized rust/pitting; edge functional, refinishing possible. Handle firm; slight drying cracks between bark slices. Scabbard complete, heavily worn (seam and edge abrasion, seams partially open); overall authentic used condition.)"

Regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

One of the original auction pictures. And the same view after it has received some TLC.