European (Italian?) Dagger

Spunjer · 28th March 2011, 02:56 PM

thank you for the additional photo, gene, and once again, thank you jim for your esteemed assessment! i'll pass this on to the owner, and i'm sure he'll be more than happy to find out his $125 dollar pick up from a flea market is more than just a "neat dagger".

Atlantia · 28th March 2011, 05:54 PM

You're welcome Spunjer.

Has anyone noticed that the 'ball' ends of the quillions have been 'added on' and aren't original to the crossguard.
Poses several interesting questions.
The first of which is of course, is it a modified court/smallsword hilt?

(discuss)

Jim McDougall · 28th March 2011, 06:45 PM

You bet Spunjer!!! Tell your friend he 'done good!'

Gene, very astute!!! and I had not noticed the terminals might be replaced, nor the distinct indication this could be a smallsword guard. That makes this even more interesting yet, and it seems a lot of work to go to in order to refurbish this piece. To me the suggestion is that it well might have been the components of a valued heirloom sword which was revamped into a most attractive stiletto.

As the smallsword fell out of favor in the 19th century, there was still the attraction of the gentry to romanticized Italian influences, and there would seem to be a strong case for this type situation here.

All the best,
Jim

Atlantia · 28th March 2011, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

You bet Spunjer!!! Tell your friend he 'done good!'

Gene, very astute!!! and I had not noticed the terminals might be replaced, nor the distinct indication this could be a smallsword guard. That makes this even more interesting yet, and it seems a lot of work to go to in order to refurbish this piece. To me the suggestion is that it well might have been the components of a valued heirloom sword which was revamped into a most attractive stiletto.

As the smallsword fell out of favor in the 19th century, there was still the attraction of the gentry to romanticized Italian influences, and there would seem to be a strong case for this type situation here.

All the best,
Jim

Thanks mate,
Looks like it was one of the later ones with no finger loops (or small ones). I did wonder if the rapier blade was remounted as a small sword, then got broken and was reincarnated a third time into the dagger?
Possibly too far a stretch

Spunjer · 28th March 2011, 07:26 PM

another thing, he was wondering as well if the tips of the crossguard was modified. if you notice in the picture, it looks as if it was abbreviated somehow. perhaps to make it look balanced (as oppose to a longer one from its previous life)...

Atlantia · 28th March 2011, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spunjer

another thing, he was wondering as well if the tips of the crossguard was modified. if you notice in the picture, it looks as if it was abbreviated somehow. perhaps to make it look balanced (as oppose to a longer one from its previous life)...

Thats what I'm saying mate. It was originally a smallsword hilt by the looks of it.

Something along the lines of (but a slightly different style)

Spunjer · 28th March 2011, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Thats what I'm saying mate. It was originally a smallsword hilt by the looks of it.

Something along the lines of (but a slightly different style)

haha, didn't see your previous post. not really a stretch. looks as if as much of the original parts were salvage...

28th March 2011, 02:56 PM	#1
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	thank you for the additional photo, gene, and once again, thank you jim for your esteemed assessment! i'll pass this on to the owner, and i'm sure he'll be more than happy to find out his $125 dollar pick up from a flea market is more than just a "neat dagger".

28th March 2011, 05:54 PM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	You're welcome Spunjer. Has anyone noticed that the 'ball' ends of the quillions have been 'added on' and aren't original to the crossguard. Poses several interesting questions. The first of which is of course, is it a modified court/smallsword hilt? (discuss)

28th March 2011, 06:45 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,196	You bet Spunjer!!! Tell your friend he 'done good!' Gene, very astute!!! and I had not noticed the terminals might be replaced, nor the distinct indication this could be a smallsword guard. That makes this even more interesting yet, and it seems a lot of work to go to in order to refurbish this piece. To me the suggestion is that it well might have been the components of a valued heirloom sword which was revamped into a most attractive stiletto. As the smallsword fell out of favor in the 19th century, there was still the attraction of the gentry to romanticized Italian influences, and there would seem to be a strong case for this type situation here. All the best, Jim

28th March 2011, 07:26 PM	#5
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	another thing, he was wondering as well if the tips of the crossguard was modified. if you notice in the picture, it looks as if it was abbreviated somehow. perhaps to make it look balanced (as oppose to a longer one from its previous life)...