An old Navaja ... not Spanish ?

fernando · 30th June 2006, 09:13 PM

Hi, i need some help.
My only reference book is Forton's, and i don't see this Maker Marks there, neither a close pictured example.
The blade is 17,5 cms ( 7") long. The handle grips may be horn ... one is cracked and being glued. The spring has only one locking scoop, and the releasing device is an angled brass ring, functioning lever wise.
Any ideas on the provenance and aprox. age of this piece ?
I wuld be swo much obliged.
fernando

Chris Evans · 1st July 2006, 06:35 AM

Hi Fernando,

That "navaja's" overall shape and lock release is in accord with those made in France towards the very end of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The lizard logo was used by the French (Thiers) cutler Tarry Levigne, active around that time, and I think that I can just make out some of the letters of his name in the pic that you provided.

Cheers
Chris

fernando · 1st July 2006, 11:37 AM

Thank you Chris, i knew you could help.
Full identification, all right.
I noticed the lettering besides the lizard only when i viewed the macro pictures for the posting in the Forum, but i couldn't ( and wouldn't ) figure out the full words without help.
Thank you very much indeed

Chris Evans · 1st July 2006, 11:58 AM

Hola Fernando,

Easy!

Just looked in Forton's Navajas Antiguas/Las Mejores Piezas de Coleccion - Well worth getting if one is into navajas.

Another new book that may interest you is the one recently written by Abel Domenech: Dagas de Plata. It is the definitive work on Gaucho knives. You can find him on the internet. A friend showed me a copy and I was blown away. Unfortunatley for English readers, for the time being, it is only available in Spanish.

Saludos
Chris

fernando · 2nd July 2006, 10:34 PM

Thank you
I'll go after both.
fernando

30th June 2006, 09:13 PM	#1
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,638	An old Navaja ... not Spanish ? Hi, i need some help. My only reference book is Forton's, and i don't see this Maker Marks there, neither a close pictured example. The blade is 17,5 cms ( 7") long. The handle grips may be horn ... one is cracked and being glued. The spring has only one locking scoop, and the releasing device is an angled brass ring, functioning lever wise. Any ideas on the provenance and aprox. age of this piece ? I wuld be swo much obliged. fernando Attached Images

1st July 2006, 06:35 AM	#2
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 661	Hi Fernando, That "navaja's" overall shape and lock release is in accord with those made in France towards the very end of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The lizard logo was used by the French (Thiers) cutler Tarry Levigne, active around that time, and I think that I can just make out some of the letters of his name in the pic that you provided. Cheers Chris Last edited by Chris Evans; 1st July 2006 at 06:48 AM.

1st July 2006, 11:37 AM	#3
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,638	Thank you Chris, i knew you could help. Full identification, all right. I noticed the lettering besides the lizard only when i viewed the macro pictures for the posting in the Forum, but i couldn't ( and wouldn't ) figure out the full words without help. Thank you very much indeed

1st July 2006, 11:58 AM	#4
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 661	Hola Fernando, Easy! Just looked in Forton's Navajas Antiguas/Las Mejores Piezas de Coleccion - Well worth getting if one is into navajas. Another new book that may interest you is the one recently written by Abel Domenech: Dagas de Plata. It is the definitive work on Gaucho knives. You can find him on the internet. A friend showed me a copy and I was blown away. Unfortunatley for English readers, for the time being, it is only available in Spanish. Saludos Chris

2nd July 2006, 10:34 PM	#5
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,638	Thank you I'll go after both. fernando