Odd Navaja For Comment

[RobT]

Chris Evans,
Not only did the link you provided answer the country of origin question, it gave the city also. Since the hilt on Fernando’s example is virtually identical to mine (even down to the incised decoration) and has a ball finial on the end, it is most likely that mine had one also. Thus answering the other question. I would assume that my knife is from the late 18th to early 19th century also. Although the blade profile on Fernando’s knife differs from mine, the fullering (albeit differing in number) is similar in shape and from what I can see of the incised decoration, it is also similar to mine. Lastly, I’ll bet that the punched indents in the brass (on both sides by the back spring rivet) were made to keep the brass casing from sliding on the wood core. It would have been nice to have had the same feature on mine.

Lee,
From what I can see, the back spring on your knife sits between the scales. On my knife, the back spring sits atop the hilt and is entirely on the outside. Your ratchet lock is similar to mine though.

Sincerely,
RobT