Is this authentic 19th century Gaucho knife.

[Chris Evans]

Originally Posted by ASPaulding

I will do more research and email Abel to see what his thoughts are.

If you do, please post his reply.

Cheers
Chris

[Fernando K]

Hello

A little late I discovered this thread. I assume that the first photograph shows the blade of the knife in the only position in which it can enter the scabbard, because the rim allows only one position. So the placement is reversed. If the set was worn at the waist, on the back, the handle should be on the far right, so that the hand, with the back down and the palm up, would take it and take out the knife handled correctly, with the edge down. The same if the knife was "verijero" that is to be carried at the waist, and in front, the handle should be on the opposite side, to be taken by hand naturally and without any effort and the blade removed from the scabbard.

Affectionately

[ASPaulding]

Originally Posted by Chris Evans

If you do, please post his reply.

Cheers
Chris

Abel has replied to my email. He was kind enough to let me share them with this group. Thank you

"Dear Adam:

I apologize for my big delay in answering your kind first mail. I´m very sorry but I was traveling abroad when I received the first one and I needed my computer at my return to view the pictures in detail.

Now, answering your inquire: You have a very beautiful and interesting knife. Definitively it is of Brazilian origin, probably made in Southern Brazil in the early XIX Century considering the shape of its blade.

This type of knife was made for owners of Fazendas (In Argentina: Estancias, in USA Ranch). As you know Southern Brazil has a similar gaucho tradition as in my Country, Argentina as well as Uruguay.

Gauchos were very poor people and couldn´t afford this kind of luxury knives or other silver objects in general.

The use of the lady hand for the hook sheath is typical of Brazilian knives and also the shape of the handle. The hand was later copied by certain silversmiths in Argentine and Uruguay territories. The sheath decoration is also very typical of very early gaucho knives. We can classify this knife as a "puñal" for its shape.

The knife made for me by Canali is a modern work of several years ago in a handle and sheath for a very old knife blade I owned.

You can observe that there is a little hook in the end of the sheath hook. Also there is a small hole in the decoration of the tip of sheath called "batiente" in Spanish.

This is so because this type of knives had a small chain going permanently attached to the hole in the extreme of sheath and other end of chain had a small ring to hung on the little hook.

This was a custom only used in Brazil to secure the sheath to the belt and avoid loosing the knife while riding a horse. Rarely the chain is still present in these old knives today but some knives still have them.

Interesting the inscription on the blade. It was surely made by the owner because it was crudely made with a very pointed instrument on the hard surface of blade. Regrettably I tried to read it but couldn´t get what it says.

It seems to end with "fonso" ... may be the name was "Alfonso" ?? Or I´m mistaken. I´m really curious to know.

Congratulations on this wonderful piece Adam.

Again, please forgive my delay in answering you, and I hope you find these comments of interest and that they add to the enjoyment of your nice knife.

Best cordial regards, Abel"

[Chris Evans]

ASPaulding.

Many thanks for posting Abel's very informative reply.

Cheers
Chris

[Ian]

What a wonderful reply. Abel is a great person and very generous with sharing his knowledge. He is the epitome of a gentleman and a scholar.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Ian

What a wonderful reply. Abel is a great person and very generous with sharing his knowledge. He is the epitome of a gentleman and a scholar.

Agree complete! Great info, thank you.

[Chris Evans]

Hi folks,

For those who are interested in these knives, I highly recommend Domenech's
Dagas De Plata, a magnificent work of 393 pages and in my opinion, by far the best work on the subject..

Despite that it is written in Spanish, the many excellent photographs and illustrations render the identification of knives from the Pampean regions relatively easy. See: https://www.libreriahernandez.com/l/...968/9870502881

Cheers
Chris

[Ian]

Lee,

Thanks for referencing the earlier thread discussing your own cuchillo. The comments there of Abel Domenech were again full and detailed. These knives are fascinating, and such an integral part of the cultures in that large area of South America.