it looks that this is a composite dagger, made from heterogeneous parts (not belonging together) in the second half of the 16th century, or a bit later.
The blade is a characteristic poniard dagger blade of the so called Bolognese type. North Italian. very stiff with a medial ridge on each side. see Picture
of a poniard in the MET 26.145.117
The style reminds me of the later ballock dagger construction with a steel ball/ballock guard without a pommel or pommel plate but with a small diamond shaped plate riveted at the end of the wooden grip. maybe you can post a Picture of it, Jean Luc ?
the whole thing looks coarsely constructed but was certainly usable.
in view of the blade and the guard is the origin probably north italian
best,
Jasper
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