dagger series nr4 THE BALLOCK

[cornelistromp]

Originally Posted by Andi

Here is a ballock dagger of the 15th century possibly found in the center of Hamburg, Germany. At display at Museum für Hamburgische Geschichte (hamburgmuseum). Unfortunately there are no further details available as it is an old archaeological find without written record.

thank you for the example, precisely the same type.
nice to see the dating, 15th century
Heribert Seitz dated this type in Blankwaffen I, end of the 14th century .
I think this is probably on the early side, this type occurred between 1390 and 1460.

[VANDOO]

I HAVE ALWAYS LIKED THESE DAGGERS AND FOUND THE NAME AMUSING MANKIND OFTEN SEEMS TO HAVE LIKED THE IDEA OF HIS WEAPONS RESEMBELING HIS PRIDE AND JOY. I HAD NOT SEEN THE BLADE CONFIGURATION LIKE THE FIRST 3 EXAMPLES THEY ALMOST LOOK LIKE THE HEAD OF A PIKE OR SPIKE OFF A WAR HAMMER. THEY APPEAR ROBUST ENOUGH TO PENETRATE LEATHER OR HEAVY CLOTHES PERHAPS EVEN LIGHT ARMOR. I WONDER IF THERE WAS ANY PROBLEM WITH THE BLADE GETTING HUNG UP WHEN USED BECAUSE OF ITS SHAPE. I AM ENJOYING YOUR POSTS AS IT BRINGS ME NEW KNOWLEGE AND IS WELL ILLUSTRATED AND RESEARCHED , WELL DONE.

[junker]

Hello,
so I like to share mine as well.
It s one of the shorter ones and has a type of composed grip ending in some brass plates. The quillon / guard is decorated with some carvings and the ballocks with a sun or star shaped.
The item was found in Rotterdam, what the seller told me.

[junker]

Hello,
so I like to share mine as well.
It s one of the shorter ones and has a type of composed grip ending in some brass plates. The quillon / guard is decorated with some carvings and the ballocks with a sun or star shaped.
The item was found in Rotterdam, what the seller told me.

[junker]

sorry for the doubler

[cornelistromp]

Hi Junker,

thanks for the nice example, the grip seems to be a (later) restauration but all the brass parts are Original around 1450.
here's a picture of a similar excavated grip with balls with the sun, as seen on the painting the arrrest of christ.

best,
jasper

[junker]

Hi,

the grip shoud be the original but it is to much restored.
Thanks for your picture with the grip and sun.
Is it also from the netherlands ?

Dirk

[cornelistromp]

Originally Posted by junker

Hi,

the grip shoud be the original but it is to much restored.
Thanks for your picture with the grip and sun.
Is it also from the netherlands ?

Dirk

Hi Dirk,

yes found in the Netherlands, exact location is unknown to me.

The reason I think the grip is redone is because all ballock daggers have a grip made ​​outof one piece of wood.
when you see the grain at your dagger, the protrusions are glued to the handle.
further, the protrusions are not ball-shaped and the recess in the brass parry rod does not fit exactly appropriate the wooden grip between the balls. at your dagger the recess is smaller.
please compare other Ballock daggers for this.


The wood used here is also unusual for a ballock.

best,
Jasper