Dagger for identification and discussion

[Akanthus]

Nice huntingdagger !! For me it has doubtless central european ,most probably German origin.The birdsheadlike upper end of the grip and the rivets ,which fix the staghorn gripplates are typical patterns of huntigswords of the 17th and early 18th century.I would rather date it around 1700, because a quillon is missing.A halfquillon mostly on the side of the edge of the blade and often ending widened or like a animalshead you often find on elder daggers.In his book " Der Hirschfänger " Seifert writes that the purpose of the little shell on the grip could be a protection for the hand of the carrier or should prevent a sliding of the dagger off the belt.You can find these shells on pictures from Dürer and Brueghel where farmers of the 16th.century are shown.Therefore they are a common components.The tip of the blade of the shown dagger is very pointed.Perhaps the result of frequently sharpening or following a certain purpose of the owner .Normally hunting daggers show a stronger tip.
Good purchase,congratulations !!!

[Sajen]

Thank you Jim and Akanthus! Interesting thought that the blade could have been once much longer Jim! That would mean that it was once a so-called Hirschfaenger?
Thank you for giving an approximate age of the dagger Akanthus, great information, thank you very much. And yes, by such an age the blade form will look different now to how it may have looked once. Would be great to see similar examples of hunting daggers of this age.
Great thoughts and information gents, very appreciated!

Regards,
Detlef

[Akanthus]

Here some pictures of hunting knives of the 16th century i took from the great book "Hirschfänger, Zur historischen Entwicklung jagdlicher Seitenwaffen " written by Mr.Westphal.I assume ,that your knife isn't a shortened hunting sword, because quillons are missing and have never been there.

[kronckew]

Hauswehr, utility messer with nagel, also used for fighting in an emergency (in the hof brauhaus). Nice one.


(example Found on Google)

[Akanthus]

Hofbräuhaus.....