A Rustic Navaja

Rick · 16th August 2018, 01:22 AM

I got this recently from a Seller in the UK.
Could anyone offer any thoughts as to its age?

Chris Evans · 16th August 2018, 05:21 AM

Rick,

Very hard to date these with great accuracy.

At a guess the larger one could have been made anywhere between the 1920s and the 1950s, though the elegant back spring suggests a pre WWII provenance.

The smaller one was most likely made in the 1960s or even 70s judging by the construction. These cheap and garishly decorated navajas were aimed at the souvenir market.

Cheers
Chris

fernando · 16th August 2018, 12:47 PM

Do you have a crush for Navajas, Rick ?

.

Rick · 16th August 2018, 04:41 PM

No Fernando, it was you who shamed me into getting a large one what with your comments on my puny souvenir example in another thread.

fernando · 16th August 2018, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

No Fernando, it was you who shamed me into getting a large one what with your comments on my puny souvenir example in another thread.

I remember that; at least now you have a decent piece

.

BTW, would you like to make one yourself ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSUKUKzVCc0

.

Rick · 16th August 2018, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Evans

Rick,

Very hard to date these with great accuracy.

At a guess the larger one could have been made anywhere between the 1920s and the 1950s, though the elegant back spring suggests a pre WWII provenance.

The smaller one was most likely made in the 1960s or even 70s judging by the construction. These cheap and garishly decorated navajas were aimed at the souvenir market.

Cheers
Chris

Thank you Chris.
Everything is very tight, no blade wobble, sharp notches etc.
It must not have seen very much use in the past.

Chris Evans · 17th August 2018, 02:27 AM

Rick,

Are maker's brand visible ?

Cheers
Chris

carlos · 17th August 2018, 10:18 AM

The bigger is from Albacete ( Spain) and the other navaja is typical fom Santa Cruz de Mudela ( Spain) .

Rick · 18th August 2018, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlos

The bigger is from Albacete ( Spain) and the other navaja is typical fom Santa Cruz de Mudela ( Spain) .

Hi Carlos, thank you. I got the little one 20 years or so ago.
I was surprised even then what I ended up bidding for it.
Looking at ebay these days I can see that the little ones still sell for much more than I would consider a fair price.

Rick · 17th August 2018, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Evans

Rick,

Are maker's brand visible ?

Cheers
Chris

No makers marks, Chris; only Albacete.

It looks like one that might have been purchased from a Cuchillero, street vendor.

Chris Evans · 18th August 2018, 03:18 AM

Rick,

Carlos is absolutely right, the smaller souvenir navaja is typical of those made in St Cruz de Mudela, a giveaway are the little brass strips in the handle (cintillos). These rarely had the name of the maker and were marked with the ubiquitous "TOLEDO", suggesting to the gullible buyer a provenance from the famous swordsmiths of that city, by that time long gone.

The larger navaja, with the marking "ALBACETE", was a user. I have one that looks identical to yours and it also lacks the makers name, being marked only "ALBACETE".

Cheers
Chris

16th August 2018, 01:22 AM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	A Rustic Navaja I got this recently from a Seller in the UK. Could anyone offer any thoughts as to its age? Attached Images

18th August 2018, 03:18 AM	#11
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 685	Rick, Carlos is absolutely right, the smaller souvenir navaja is typical of those made in St Cruz de Mudela, a giveaway are the little brass strips in the handle (cintillos). These rarely had the name of the maker and were marked with the ubiquitous "TOLEDO", suggesting to the gullible buyer a provenance from the famous swordsmiths of that city, by that time long gone. The larger navaja, with the marking "ALBACETE", was a user. I have one that looks identical to yours and it also lacks the makers name, being marked only "ALBACETE". Cheers Chris Last edited by Chris Evans; 18th August 2018 at 07:35 AM.

16th August 2018, 05:21 AM	#2
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 685	Rick, Very hard to date these with great accuracy. At a guess the larger one could have been made anywhere between the 1920s and the 1950s, though the elegant back spring suggests a pre WWII provenance. The smaller one was most likely made in the 1960s or even 70s judging by the construction. These cheap and garishly decorated navajas were aimed at the souvenir market. Cheers Chris

16th August 2018, 12:47 PM	#3
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Do you have a crush for Navajas, Rick ? .

16th August 2018, 04:41 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	No Fernando, it was you who shamed me into getting a large one what with your comments on my puny souvenir example in another thread.

17th August 2018, 02:27 AM	#7
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 685	Rick, Are maker's brand visible ? Cheers Chris

17th August 2018, 10:18 AM	#8
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 755	The bigger is from Albacete ( Spain) and the other navaja is typical fom Santa Cruz de Mudela ( Spain) .