1872 Toledo spanish dagger/bayonet

francantolin · 18th August 2023, 08:39 PM

Dear members good evening ( or good day

)

I received this spanish dagger / plug bayonet
Well made with a nice brass guard with dragons ?
Dolphins ? faces.

Rare ( I think ) horn handle and it's little smaller than the ''usuals'' models:
32 cm long without scabbard.

With the small dimensions, horn hilt...
Could it be used like a bayonet ?
O more an embellished look like ''plug bayonet'' dagger .

francantolin · 18th August 2023, 08:46 PM

Small model but not just a letter opener,
Thick steel blade on handle side

toaster5sqn · 19th August 2023, 01:08 AM

Plug bayonets went obsolete in the 1700's. Also the bayonet was always a mass produced infantry, other ranks, weapon so fancy cast guards are right out.

A decorative dagger made with plug bayonet styling.

francantolin · 19th August 2023, 11:53 AM

Thank you Toaster for your reply,

Decorative but the blade is not just for déco....

Does anybody have nformations about the hilt faces ?

Kind regards

Richard G · 19th August 2023, 11:41 PM

Altho' obsolete for military use by the 18th Cent.,daggers like these persisted for hunting purposes until the demise of the muzzleloader\large bore single-shot gun. I guess the additional functionality of a knife that could quickly convert your hunting gun into a short spear would appeal to any gadget-minded hunter.
Best wishes
Richard

Jim McDougall · 20th August 2023, 02:59 AM

As noted, the plug bayonet was indeed obsolete (though giving way to the socket bayonet, which was often deemed the key edged weapon for infantry) by the 18th century. However, Spain, ever conservative and traditional kept its beloved plug bayonet in form well through the 19th century as a hunting weapon and much as with hunting swords, a attractive accoutrement in gentlemans dress.

The shape of the hilt grip though reflecting its former manner of insertion into the muzzle of the gun was retained as a vestigial form only, though as always actual use as intended may have happened in earlier times after the gun was discharged and the hunter was threatened by a wounded animal.

The plug bayonet had great traditional appeal, as well described in the late Roger Evans, "The Plug Bayonet", and these fashionable weapons became stylish daggers and dirks, in which this may be the case.

The dolphin heads quite likely signify naval provenance and reflect the Napoleonic period (as with the scabbard) but with a Toledo blade as popular through the 19th century as the British often commemorated.
My opinions only on a quite attractive dirk, in plug bayonet form.

18th August 2023, 08:39 PM	#1
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 876	1872 Toledo spanish dagger/bayonet Dear members good evening ( or good day ) I received this spanish dagger / plug bayonet Well made with a nice brass guard with dragons ? Dolphins ? faces. Rare ( I think ) horn handle and it's little smaller than the ''usuals'' models: 32 cm long without scabbard. With the small dimensions, horn hilt... Could it be used like a bayonet ? O more an embellished look like ''plug bayonet'' dagger . Attached Images

18th August 2023, 08:46 PM	#2
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 876	Small model but not just a letter opener, Thick steel blade on handle side Attached Images

19th August 2023, 01:08 AM	#3
toaster5sqn Member Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: New Zealand Posts: 72	Plug bayonets went obsolete in the 1700's. Also the bayonet was always a mass produced infantry, other ranks, weapon so fancy cast guards are right out. A decorative dagger made with plug bayonet styling.

19th August 2023, 11:53 AM	#4
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 876	Thank you Toaster for your reply, Decorative but the blade is not just for déco.... Does anybody have nformations about the hilt faces ? Kind regards

19th August 2023, 11:41 PM	#5
Richard G Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 405	Altho' obsolete for military use by the 18th Cent.,daggers like these persisted for hunting purposes until the demise of the muzzleloader\large bore single-shot gun. I guess the additional functionality of a knife that could quickly convert your hunting gun into a short spear would appeal to any gadget-minded hunter. Best wishes Richard

20th August 2023, 02:59 AM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,944	As noted, the plug bayonet was indeed obsolete (though giving way to the socket bayonet, which was often deemed the key edged weapon for infantry) by the 18th century. However, Spain, ever conservative and traditional kept its beloved plug bayonet in form well through the 19th century as a hunting weapon and much as with hunting swords, a attractive accoutrement in gentlemans dress. The shape of the hilt grip though reflecting its former manner of insertion into the muzzle of the gun was retained as a vestigial form only, though as always actual use as intended may have happened in earlier times after the gun was discharged and the hunter was threatened by a wounded animal. The plug bayonet had great traditional appeal, as well described in the late Roger Evans, "The Plug Bayonet", and these fashionable weapons became stylish daggers and dirks, in which this may be the case. The dolphin heads quite likely signify naval provenance and reflect the Napoleonic period (as with the scabbard) but with a Toledo blade as popular through the 19th century as the British often commemorated. My opinions only on a quite attractive dirk, in plug bayonet form.