Left hand dagger for comments

fernando · 15th January 2014, 08:00 PM

Thank you for the comforting comments, Jasper

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I will file its age and possible origin accordingly.

fernando · 24th January 2014, 05:28 PM

Dagger arrived two days ago.
There is something that intrigues me; the interior design of the ring guard. I notice that these features are usually seen in (left hand) parrying daggers of this style, very so often with the same configuration.
My question: is this only a matter of (traditional) decoration or does it have any effectiveness in the handling of these daggers ?

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M ELEY · 25th January 2014, 02:36 AM

That is a spectacular piece, Fernando! You have an amazing ability to find the most desirable pieces!

Do my weak eyes play tricks, or does the blade have traces of silver overlay? I'd love one of these for my collection!

fernando · 25th January 2014, 01:36 PM

Thank you for your flattering comments, Mark. I wish i had a collection based on such reality

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And no, no overlay. The visual efffects that are tricking you are due to the light reflex of excelent pictures taken by the seller.
But an effect that is tricking me is what i suspect to have been the maker's mark, faded by time and wear... which is a pity

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(Both pictures from same front side)

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Jim McDougall · 25th January 2014, 08:07 PM

Nando, this is I agree a wonderful piece, and I would as always, agree with Jasper's assessment in period. The German and Italian arms producers, as well as Spain, were so closely connected in diffused styles and most factors in arms and armor it would be hard to say which provenance.
This seems to have been heavily cleaned and regrettably the makers poincon is badly indiscernible, especially with the flashback in photos.
Perhaps once in hand in varying lighting it might be more viewable.

Excellent question on the curious parallel ridges and bulge in the ring loop guard, and whether simply motif or associated with production is hard to say. They of course would probably not have any specific purpose, but the ring itself would be a guard to prevent a blade from sliding toward the hand.

All the best
Jim

M ELEY · 26th January 2014, 04:00 AM

I always wondered if the rings on these were used to try and catch the blade's point, much as the long quillons were used?

Being that its used in conjunction with the rapier, such a design for deflecting and possibly pinning the blade tip.

Thinking through that some more, I guess it wouldn't make sense to allow the point of an opponent's blade to pass through the ring along the defender's hand!! Interesting why they left the ring open on these early pieces, which later became closed guards...

Robert · 26th January 2014, 05:52 AM

Hello Fernando, I must agree with the others that this is a most wonderful dagger and that I am quite impressed with the condition it is in for its age. Have you tried doing a rubbing of the makers mark yet? Sometimes they will reveal things not readily seen by the naked eye. My congratulations to you on being able to acquire this very nice piece.

Best,
Robert

24th January 2014, 05:28 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Dagger arrived two days ago. There is something that intrigues me; the interior design of the ring guard. I notice that these features are usually seen in (left hand) parrying daggers of this style, very so often with the same configuration. My question: is this only a matter of (traditional) decoration or does it have any effectiveness in the handling of these daggers ? . Attached Images

25th January 2014, 01:36 PM	#4
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thank you for your flattering comments, Mark. I wish i had a collection based on such reality . And no, no overlay. The visual efffects that are tricking you are due to the light reflex of excelent pictures taken by the seller. But an effect that is tricking me is what i suspect to have been the maker's mark, faded by time and wear... which is a pity . (Both pictures from same front side) . Attached Images

15th January 2014, 08:00 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thank you for the comforting comments, Jasper . I will file its age and possible origin accordingly.

25th January 2014, 02:36 AM	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	That is a spectacular piece, Fernando! You have an amazing ability to find the most desirable pieces! Do my weak eyes play tricks, or does the blade have traces of silver overlay? I'd love one of these for my collection!

25th January 2014, 08:07 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	Nando, this is I agree a wonderful piece, and I would as always, agree with Jasper's assessment in period. The German and Italian arms producers, as well as Spain, were so closely connected in diffused styles and most factors in arms and armor it would be hard to say which provenance. This seems to have been heavily cleaned and regrettably the makers poincon is badly indiscernible, especially with the flashback in photos. Perhaps once in hand in varying lighting it might be more viewable. Excellent question on the curious parallel ridges and bulge in the ring loop guard, and whether simply motif or associated with production is hard to say. They of course would probably not have any specific purpose, but the ring itself would be a guard to prevent a blade from sliding toward the hand. All the best Jim

26th January 2014, 04:00 AM	#6
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	I always wondered if the rings on these were used to try and catch the blade's point, much as the long quillons were used? Being that its used in conjunction with the rapier, such a design for deflecting and possibly pinning the blade tip. Thinking through that some more, I guess it wouldn't make sense to allow the point of an opponent's blade to pass through the ring along the defender's hand!! Interesting why they left the ring open on these early pieces, which later became closed guards...

26th January 2014, 05:52 AM	#7
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Fernando, I must agree with the others that this is a most wonderful dagger and that I am quite impressed with the condition it is in for its age. Have you tried doing a rubbing of the makers mark yet? Sometimes they will reveal things not readily seen by the naked eye. My congratulations to you on being able to acquire this very nice piece. Best, Robert