dagger for ID... made from a broken sword ?

Jim McDougall · 7th December 2012, 10:47 PM

Hi Mark,
Doing great...bookmobile in dry dock through winter!

at last, last odyssey about 5000 miles.

Actually Ive never seen these kind of weapons in the 'inland' context, though espada anchas tended to become shorter, which is why they are often mistaken for Confederate Bowies etc. They had become more of a large Bowie type weapon by about 1850s and on the Plains they were often termed 'frog stickers' as I was once told.
In Levines 4th Book of Knives I think 1985, one of these Central American 'dirks' is seen but these often had a ring on them. This seems more an ersatz type fabrication of one of these. I think these were more likely in use on the 'Spanish Main' and certainly could well have seen maritime use .

All the best,
Jim

M ELEY · 8th December 2012, 05:00 AM

Glad to hear you are well, Jim!

Concerning your comments, that makes total sense concerning usage in the Spanish Main in conjunction with a Caribbean made espada or make-shift cup-hilt. It reminds me of the rapier/main gauch combo, but in this case, of a more primitive form. The more we discuss this piece, I realize I want one!

7th December 2012, 10:47 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Hi Mark, Doing great...bookmobile in dry dock through winter! at last, last odyssey about 5000 miles. Actually Ive never seen these kind of weapons in the 'inland' context, though espada anchas tended to become shorter, which is why they are often mistaken for Confederate Bowies etc. They had become more of a large Bowie type weapon by about 1850s and on the Plains they were often termed 'frog stickers' as I was once told. In Levines 4th Book of Knives I think 1985, one of these Central American 'dirks' is seen but these often had a ring on them. This seems more an ersatz type fabrication of one of these. I think these were more likely in use on the 'Spanish Main' and certainly could well have seen maritime use . All the best, Jim

8th December 2012, 05:00 AM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,156	Glad to hear you are well, Jim! Concerning your comments, that makes total sense concerning usage in the Spanish Main in conjunction with a Caribbean made espada or make-shift cup-hilt. It reminds me of the rapier/main gauch combo, but in this case, of a more primitive form. The more we discuss this piece, I realize I want one!