A Pontus Holmberg Eskilstuna for comment

Sajen · 28th June 2025, 09:46 PM

I won today at a German auction this rather nice Swedish Pontus Holmberg Eskilstuna knife. It's a little bit unusual with the metal handle, Leif has posted some time ago catalog pages from these knives, http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=eskilstuna, I can't find a match there, so my query if someone is able to tell me more about my new knife!

Overall 28 cm, blade 14,3 cm.

Battara · 28th June 2025, 10:09 PM

Never seen a knife like this. The silver decor looks etched. Very nice.

Sajen · 28th June 2025, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Never seen a knife like this. The silver decor looks etched. Very nice.

Thank you Jose!

It's not silver but German silver.

Regards,
Detlef

Rafngard · 2nd July 2025, 06:29 PM

Hello Detlef,

Wow! That is stunning! Thank you for posting this.
I think I've seen one with a metal hilt before, but not in person.

-Leif

Sajen · 2nd July 2025, 11:19 PM

Thank you Leif!

Jim McDougall · Yesterday, 07:32 PM

This is an absolutely gorgeous knife! and what I like most is the way the vestigial quillons project through the slot in the scabbard, which swallows the hilt in the manner of shashkas. For some reason that has always been one of the most intriguing edged weapon features to me.

This also is from a renowned maker in the city of Eskilstuna, which has been known as the Sheffield of Sweden.......by comparison, the famed Bowie knives of the American frontier were made mostly in Sheffield.

This seems almost like an exotic version of the Finnish puukko, which of course seems understandable given the notable numbers of Finns in these areas.
The term Nordic is indeed more appropriate as it applies more collectively including Finns as well as Danes, Norwegians, Icelanders and Swedes. In this would be the Laplanders, lesser known and of northern Finn and Arctic regions.

The knife was a mans supremely personal item in these countries, especially in remote areas where they were primarily utility for hunters, fishermen and workers. A knife like this was likely more of course a dress item and weapon for a gentrified man in more metropolitan setting.

Sajen · Today, 06:02 AM

Yes Jim, I also think that this is a late 19th century dress dagger for a noble man.

Thank you very much for your educated comment!

Regards,
Detlef

28th June 2025, 09:46 PM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,242	A Pontus Holmberg Eskilstuna for comment I won today at a German auction this rather nice Swedish Pontus Holmberg Eskilstuna knife. It's a little bit unusual with the metal handle, Leif has posted some time ago catalog pages from these knives, http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=eskilstuna, I can't find a match there, so my query if someone is able to tell me more about my new knife! Overall 28 cm, blade 14,3 cm. Attached Images

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28th June 2025, 10:09 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,294	Never seen a knife like this. The silver decor looks etched. Very nice.

2nd July 2025, 06:29 PM	#4
Rafngard Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Minneapolis,MN Posts: 351	Hello Detlef, Wow! That is stunning! Thank you for posting this. I think I've seen one with a metal hilt before, but not in person. -Leif

2nd July 2025, 11:19 PM	#5
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,242	Thank you Leif!

Yesterday, 07:32 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,353	This is an absolutely gorgeous knife! and what I like most is the way the vestigial quillons project through the slot in the scabbard, which swallows the hilt in the manner of shashkas. For some reason that has always been one of the most intriguing edged weapon features to me. This also is from a renowned maker in the city of Eskilstuna, which has been known as the Sheffield of Sweden.......by comparison, the famed Bowie knives of the American frontier were made mostly in Sheffield. This seems almost like an exotic version of the Finnish puukko, which of course seems understandable given the notable numbers of Finns in these areas. The term Nordic is indeed more appropriate as it applies more collectively including Finns as well as Danes, Norwegians, Icelanders and Swedes. In this would be the Laplanders, lesser known and of northern Finn and Arctic regions. The knife was a mans supremely personal item in these countries, especially in remote areas where they were primarily utility for hunters, fishermen and workers. A knife like this was likely more of course a dress item and weapon for a gentrified man in more metropolitan setting.

Today, 06:02 AM	#7
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,242	Yes Jim, I also think that this is a late 19th century dress dagger for a noble man. Thank you very much for your educated comment! Regards, Detlef