Is this authentic 19th century Gaucho knife.

[Lee]

I think that you do have an authentic "gaucho" knife. It is not uncommon for these not to have a maker's mark. I will look through Abel Domenech's impressive book for similar examples. As to whether this is 19th century or the first half of the 20th, I am unsure.

Could the crude engraving on the blade be the name 'Alfonso?'

I guess I have been out of the market for too long (at least twenty years) as I think of these as being very inexpensive compared with Bowie knives

[ASPaulding]

Originally Posted by Lee

I think that you do have an authentic "gaucho" knife. It is not uncommon for these not to have a maker's mark. I will look through Abel Domenech's impressive book for similar examples. As to whether this is 19th century or the first half of the 20th, I am unsure.

Could the crude engraving on the blade be the name 'Alfonso?'

I guess I have been out of the market for too long (at least twenty years) as I think of these as being very inexpensive compared with Bowie knives

The knife could say Alfonso. Thank you for seeing if you could find examples in your book. Typically a standard 19th century bowie knife seems to go for no more then $200. Unless it is a coffin grip or something special. An authentic gaucho knife normally runs around $500 to a $1000. In IMHO the bowie seems to be much more substantial as a tool or weapon as well.

[Lee]

Well, I guess the prices have inverted! The gaucho knife in this old thread cost me exactly $35, although that was in 1972 dollars. It was Bowie knives that were out of my reach - fortunately I liked the then affordable gaucho ones much more.

[David R]

All the prices have risen for every collectable, though strangely Nihonto have stabilised, except for the big names, and the WWII gunto are now level pegging.