1872 Toledo spanish dagger/bayonet

[Richard G]

Altho' obsolete for military use by the 18th Cent.,daggers like these persisted for hunting purposes until the demise of the muzzleloader\large bore single-shot gun. I guess the additional functionality of a knife that could quickly convert your hunting gun into a short spear would appeal to any gadget-minded hunter.
Best wishes
Richard

[Jim McDougall]

As noted, the plug bayonet was indeed obsolete (though giving way to the socket bayonet, which was often deemed the key edged weapon for infantry) by the 18th century. However, Spain, ever conservative and traditional kept its beloved plug bayonet in form well through the 19th century as a hunting weapon and much as with hunting swords, a attractive accoutrement in gentlemans dress.

The shape of the hilt grip though reflecting its former manner of insertion into the muzzle of the gun was retained as a vestigial form only, though as always actual use as intended may have happened in earlier times after the gun was discharged and the hunter was threatened by a wounded animal.

The plug bayonet had great traditional appeal, as well described in the late Roger Evans, "The Plug Bayonet", and these fashionable weapons became stylish daggers and dirks, in which this may be the case.

The dolphin heads quite likely signify naval provenance and reflect the Napoleonic period (as with the scabbard) but with a Toledo blade as popular through the 19th century as the British often commemorated.
My opinions only on a quite attractive dirk, in plug bayonet form.

[francantolin]

Thank's a lot Jim for your detailed message !
Especially for the napoleonian dolphins headed guard
Sorry for my late reply

[not2sharp]

Here is a similar Spanish dagger dating to 1876. This one is marked "Fab/ De /Toledo" on one side and "Ano/ de/ 1876" on the other. Handle is solid steel and the heavy sheath looks like either Brass or Nickle Silver. Sheath metal thickness all around is about 1/8". I suspect this was intended to sit on your desk, as a letter opener or for self-defense, depending on the owners mood and need at the time.

n2s