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#1 |
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The over all length of this dagger is 16 15/16". The blade is 11 3/4" long, approximately 15/16" wide near the grip, with the top edge being 3/8" wide over most of its length. The tip is wedge/diamond shaped(?) for 4 1/2". The dagger weighs 8 1/4 oz.
As you can see there is no guard. I believe the grip is made of wood, but it is hard, polished, and looks a lot like some kind of horn. |
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#2 |
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I am no expert, but that hilt looks like tortoise shell. Maybe the dagger is one of those "Corsican" (or French, or Sardinian, or Spanish, or Italian) vendetta daggers. It's pretty sweet, anyway.
Does the tang extend through the grip, or is it shorter and just set into the grip material? |
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#3 | |
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#4 |
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I might be wrong, but is there a letter or makers mark on the blade? There looks to be something like a "c" or an "o"...or it might be nothing. I'm almost positive that the hilt is tortoise shell. The Carribean had a big tortoiseshell industry, long defunct. They used to get enormous pieces of the stuff.
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#5 | |
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I can take some more detailed pictures of the grip tomorrow. Last edited by dana_w; 25th April 2015 at 02:52 AM. |
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#6 |
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That is one great looking Medeterranean dagger!
I think the precious post got the geography right. Looks like it's late 18th to mid 19th century, IMHO. |
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#7 |
Lead Moderator European Armoury
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Very nice piece. Assuming the edge is blunt (not sharpened). A weapon made for stabing; most certainly a version of the Spanish almarada (or chupa sangre).
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#8 | |
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I am headed to the office to try and get some better closeup images. Last edited by dana_w; 26th April 2015 at 01:04 AM. |
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#9 |
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Here are some closeup photos that show more detail on the grip, and the places where the blade makes transitions in its shape.
All photos in this thread are copyright (c) 2015 by Dana K. Williams. All Rights Are Reserved |
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#10 |
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Hi;
Only for a guess, the turtle carapace was also imitated. There are numerous examples of folding knife with the handle imitation. I think I see a gap, as it has left an insect. Affectionately. Fernando K Sorry for the translator |
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#11 | |
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The grip seems to be all of one piece, with two carved out raised areas and lines inscribed along the length of each side. There are a few holes, cracks, and blemishes. |
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#12 | |
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Edit: on looking at your excellent photo of the grip, I think its cow horn, so I retract my tortoiseshell idea. ![]() |
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#13 | |
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![]() It does look like some cow horn that I've seen before, but this is more that an inch think at the base, and of a piece. |
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#14 | |
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#15 | ||
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Quote:
![]() Then again, the blade is fastened to the grip somehow. Last edited by dana_w; 26th April 2015 at 01:08 AM. |
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#16 |
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looks like tortoiseshell to me. Would be totally appropriate for the quality/age/origin of the knife
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#17 | |
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Thanks ashoka. I haven't seen enough examples of tortoiseshell to know. Can tortoiseshell be over an inch thick? |
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#18 | |
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Tortoise she'll can be "welded" into a thick mass and carved into handles, etc. I think it's tortoise shell. I've examined a lot of it over the years. Horn, while also having the translucence of tortoise shell, does not have the color or richness. Both are favorites of the dermis rid beetle larva. I get rid of them by wrapping them up in plastic and deep freezing for several weeks or longer. You will want to wax the blade well first for moisture protection. After it thaws, (slowly!), I like to inject mineral spirits into all holes. Bugs hate this stuff, as it causes instantaneous breakdown of their nervous systems. If you want to do a test, throw some on an active wasp nest. Besides being a little adventurous, it quickly and dramatically works. Even a spray bottle with mineral spirits will work on a swarm coming after you if your courage is up for it. They will fly through it and drop like rocks! Of course you have to wait until the las second to do this or the mist will dissipate, leaving you with some painful reminders... Think of it like a duel on a small scale. |
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#19 | |
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I own an excavated Berber Sabre. Its grip is made from layers of cow horn glued and pegged together, so I've seen something like what you are talking about. The daggers handle really looks like it is one piece. There is no visible evidence of layering that I can see. |
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#20 |
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Tortoiseshell has been used as a veneer over wood, which is what this looks like to me. Nice touch of additional elegance for an already attractive dagger.
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#21 | |
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