dagger series nr5 BASILARD FORERUNNER OF RONDEL DAGGER

[cornelistromp]

Originally Posted by fernando

Most interesting and rare example.
Is it in your collection, Jasper ?

Hi Fernando,



the basilard with ivory grip plates has been auctioned at Christies Amsterdam in 2010. it was a very nice piece with the original small copper rivets. Actually the only basilards from the 14th century that are still complete, have grip plates of ivory or bone.

The others are from the Historisch museum Dresden and the Dutch Army museum.

but!
I have an example of the rarest round hilted variant as discussed in #1 in my collection.
The hilt is carved in the shape of the guard and pommel, and the sandwich plates are formed from one piece, the pommel and guard are thus an integral part of the grip.
the circular parryplate is protected by a wrought iron ring.
The basilard blade is rigid, flat diamond-shaped and sharply tapering, as you might expect at a weapon for the thrust.
This basilard is a "frugally" but very effective weapon probably for military use, from the second half of the 14th century.

best,
Jasper