Interesting Dagger For Comment

dana_w · 24th April 2015, 10:54 PM

The over all length of this dagger is 16 15/16". The blade is 11 3/4" long, approximately 15/16" wide near the grip, with the top edge being 3/8" wide over most of its length. The tip is wedge/diamond shaped(?) for 4 1/2". The dagger weighs 8 1/4 oz.

As you can see there is no guard. I believe the grip is made of wood, but it is hard, polished, and looks a lot like some kind of horn.

S.Workman · 25th April 2015, 02:06 AM

I am no expert, but that hilt looks like tortoise shell. Maybe the dagger is one of those "Corsican" (or French, or Sardinian, or Spanish, or Italian) vendetta daggers. It's pretty sweet, anyway.
Does the tang extend through the grip, or is it shorter and just set into the grip material?

dana_w · 25th April 2015, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S.Workman

Does the tang extend through the grip, or is it shorter and just set into the grip material?

The grip seems like is made of a solid piece. The tang doesn't extend all the way through the grip. The end is just more of the grip material that is a little worn.

S.Workman · 25th April 2015, 03:15 AM

I might be wrong, but is there a letter or makers mark on the blade? There looks to be something like a "c" or an "o"...or it might be nothing. I'm almost positive that the hilt is tortoise shell. The Carribean had a big tortoiseshell industry, long defunct. They used to get enormous pieces of the stuff.

dana_w · 25th April 2015, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S.Workman

I might be wrong, but is there a letter or makers mark on the blade? There looks to be something like a "c" or an "o"...or it might be nothing. I'm almost positive that the hilt is tortoise shell. The Carribean had a big tortoiseshell industry, long defunct. They used to get enormous pieces of the stuff.

There are no marks on the blade that I can see. You may be right about the tortoise shell, but it all seems to be carved from a single piece.

I can take some more detailed pictures of the grip tomorrow.

Shakethetrees · 25th April 2015, 05:00 AM

That is one great looking Medeterranean dagger!

I think the precious post got the geography right.

Looks like it's late 18th to mid 19th century, IMHO.

fernando · 25th April 2015, 04:47 PM

Very nice piece. Assuming the edge is blunt (not sharpened). A weapon made for stabing; most certainly a version of the Spanish almarada (or chupa sangre).

dana_w · 25th April 2015, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

Very nice piece. Assuming the edge is blunt (not sharpened). A weapon made for stabing; most certainly a version of the Spanish almarada (or chupa sangre).

The blade's edge is sharp Fernando, but the reverse tapered swage(?) is not.

I am headed to the office to try and get some better closeup images.

dana_w · 25th April 2015, 06:02 PM

Here are some closeup photos that show more detail on the grip, and the places where the blade makes transitions in its shape.

All photos in this thread are copyright (c) 2015 by Dana K. Williams. All Rights Are Reserved

Fernando K · 25th April 2015, 07:27 PM

Hi;

Only for a guess, the turtle carapace was also imitated. There are numerous examples of folding knife with the handle imitation. I think I see a gap, as it has left an insect.

Affectionately. Fernando K

Sorry for the translator

24th April 2015, 10:54 PM	#1
dana_w Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Southeast Florida, USA Posts: 429	Interesting Dagger For Comment The over all length of this dagger is 16 15/16". The blade is 11 3/4" long, approximately 15/16" wide near the grip, with the top edge being 3/8" wide over most of its length. The tip is wedge/diamond shaped(?) for 4 1/2". The dagger weighs 8 1/4 oz. As you can see there is no guard. I believe the grip is made of wood, but it is hard, polished, and looks a lot like some kind of horn. Attached Images

25th April 2015, 06:02 PM	#9
dana_w Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Southeast Florida, USA Posts: 429	Here are some closeup photos that show more detail on the grip, and the places where the blade makes transitions in its shape. All photos in this thread are copyright (c) 2015 by Dana K. Williams. All Rights Are Reserved Attached Images

25th April 2015, 02:06 AM	#2
S.Workman Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 116	I am no expert, but that hilt looks like tortoise shell. Maybe the dagger is one of those "Corsican" (or French, or Sardinian, or Spanish, or Italian) vendetta daggers. It's pretty sweet, anyway. Does the tang extend through the grip, or is it shorter and just set into the grip material?

25th April 2015, 03:15 AM	#4
S.Workman Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 116	I might be wrong, but is there a letter or makers mark on the blade? There looks to be something like a "c" or an "o"...or it might be nothing. I'm almost positive that the hilt is tortoise shell. The Carribean had a big tortoiseshell industry, long defunct. They used to get enormous pieces of the stuff.

25th April 2015, 05:00 AM	#6
Shakethetrees Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Louisiana Posts: 363	That is one great looking Medeterranean dagger! I think the precious post got the geography right. Looks like it's late 18th to mid 19th century, IMHO.

25th April 2015, 04:47 PM	#7
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Very nice piece. Assuming the edge is blunt (not sharpened). A weapon made for stabing; most certainly a version of the Spanish almarada (or chupa sangre).

25th April 2015, 07:27 PM	#10
Fernando K Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 669	Hi; Only for a guess, the turtle carapace was also imitated. There are numerous examples of folding knife with the handle imitation. I think I see a gap, as it has left an insect. Affectionately. Fernando K Sorry for the translator