Former Bayonet

[RobT]

Fernando K,

Thanks for the information. Based on the statements in the article by Abel Domenech (http://www.vikingsword.com/ethsword/facon/criollo.html), I was wondering if this may actually be a Caronero. The blade on my knife measures 18-3/8" long. The two things that really puzzle me are the hilt and sheath coverings and their intact condition. I have never seen pictures of any facon with reptile skin and basket weaving on the hilt and sheath. Nor have I ever seen any pictures of a facon with what appears to be some type of lanyard loop on the hilt. Does the presence of these items point to a specific area of origin? It appears to me that the coverings were certainly made either for or by a person who held the knife in great personal esteem and used it as part of his daily life. Since, according to the Domenech article, the gauchos pretty much disappeared by 1880-1890, the condition of the 100+ hilt and sheath are remarkable.

Sincerely,
RobT

[Fernando K]

Hello

The voice "caronero" is applied when a weapon (FACON OR DAGGER) is carried in the saddle of the horse, due to its size. In this case, its blade measures 46 centimeters, and this is the case, a bit big to be worn at the waist, back. In this case, because it is an adaptation of few possibilities, it lacks the "GAVILAN" (defense element). The fact that the handle is attached to a tape to keep it in the hand and the leather work of the handle and sleeve can not be attributed to a particular area, which may have been made in any part of the republic. The denomination of GAUCHO disappeared and was replaced by "PAISANO" and the character maintained the same characteristics and the same ways of life, the horse, although diminished by modernity. The attribution corresponds to the time of adoption of this bayonet, much later

Affectionately, Fernando K

[Fernando K]

Hello

This is the bayonet for the Remington Argentine Model 1879 rifle, caliber 11.15 by 58 Rmm. The length of the blade is 471 mm. These bayonets were manufactured before 1883, the year in which they merged with Weyersberg. Anyway, I estimate that the facon is manufactured in the first half of the 20th century

Affectionately, fernando K

[Tim Simmons]

Very nice handle and scabbard giving class to a boring old bayonet.

[Sajen]

Here for comparison a more recent Argentinian gaucho knife, the same scabbard style!

Regards,
Detlef

[Chris Evans]

Rob,

Was nice of Mr Domenech to respond - He is a real gentleman and a scholar!

I forgot to ask in my earlier posts; Is there any evidence of the edge having been sharpened more than once or at all?

Cheers
Chris

[RobT]

Hi Chris,

From the striations on the edge, it would appear that the blade has been sharpened with a stone.

Sincerely,
RobT

[Chris Evans]

Originally Posted by RobT

Hi Chris,

From the striations on the edge, it would appear that the blade has been sharpened with a stone.

Sincerely,
RobT

Thanks for that reply. It would seem that it was indeed intended for some kind of use.

Cheers
Chris

[RobT]

Hi Chris,

The edge isn't very sharp. It cut some paper drawn across it but didn't cut a piece of twine. I imagine that it is sharp enough if the blade was intended primarily as a point weapon.

Sincerely,
RobT

[Chris Evans]

Originally Posted by RobT

Hi Chris,

The edge isn't very sharp. It cut some paper drawn across it but didn't cut a piece of twine. I imagine that it is sharp enough if the blade was intended primarily as a point weapon.

Sincerely,
RobT

Rob,

As a generalization, old bayonets make poor cutting knives because the steel was tempered to a lower hardness and the cross sectional geometry was less than optimal. As you say, they were primarily stabbing weapons.

Cheers
Chris