Argentine Gautscho knife

[chregu]

good evening
you would like to show my Argentine Gautscho knife.
Punal Criollo
G. Weil & Cia
Manufacturer W.R. Kirschbaum
The coin is a 2 piece Peso 1887
who has further information, please write it.
gruss chregu

[Chris Evans]

Hi,

What would you like to specifically know?

It is a German trade blade mounted by local silversmiths. Looks less ornate than modern renditions and consistent with the 2nd half of the 19th century.

Cheers
Chris

[chregu]

hello together
could be silver metalwork, despite of the yellowish color?

[Chris Evans]

Hi chregu,

I don't think that it is possible to differentiate between real silver and German silver (Spanish: Aplaca) from photos.

German silver is a copper based alloy and widely used in South America as a cheap substitute (for silver). I don't know at what exact point its use became widespread in that region, but it was in the second half of the 19th century.

Cheers
Chris

[chregu]

Hi Chris
I also think it's Alpaca.
Thank you for your opinion
gruss chregu