A French navaja

[fernando]

For non scholar small collectors, allways full of uncertainties, it is allways a pleasure to find a piece out there, that can be identified in authorized books or catalogues, instead of just guessing what the thing is, or could be.
This French navaja pattern is fully represented in Forton's main work, both in pages 150 as in 190.
The cuttler for this one was Batisse, with a punction also referred in Forton's, as having been in use between end XVIII beg. and XIX centuries. For the rest of the century, Batisse used a different punction. Therefore the dating of this example is easily atyributed, which is another pleasure.
The grips are half turtle half decorated bone.
Pitty the turtle plates are a bit swollen ( this the term ? )
The blade has a few small dents, sort of looking like saw theeth. I don't think i will ever sharpen it ... better live it like that.
Blade length 6", total length 13".
Your coments will be welcome, Gentlemen ... Master Chris ?
Fernando