Fine engraved full steel knife - Italian?

Gonzoadler · 27th December 2021, 05:56 PM

Hello,

I purchased this nice knife. It seems that handle and blade are made of one piece of steel. The handle shows a forged or cut eagle head, the blade is engraved on both sides with an eagle with a snake and a lion's head.

total length: 20cm; blade length: 11,5cm

I have two questions and I am happy for all answers and suggestions:

1. Some 18th and 19th century italian knives are similar to this piece but not equal. So, were it could been made?

2. How old could it be?

Thank you and many greetings
Robin

David R · 28th December 2021, 01:54 PM

Eagle and snake is a classic Mexican motif, so I would suggest Mexico as origin.

kronckew · 28th December 2021, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David R

Eagle and snake is a classic Mexican motif, so I would suggest Mexico as origin.

Ditto.

Gonzoadler · 29th December 2021, 11:41 AM

Thank you guys, I looked in the internet for mexican knives which are similar to my piece. There are some knives with eagle heads on the handle or an eagle with a snake (and maybe a cactus) as motif on the blade. But in most cases they are bowie-knife-like, missing fine engravings (19th century examples sometimes have a good quality etching) and/or made with other techniques. For example, I didn't find any full steel pieces.
Most mexican knives of any age are of lower quality and don't look very similar to my piece. So it is a bit doubtful for me if it is mexican. Maybe somebody have a picture of a more or less similar piece or other suggestions?

kronckew · 29th December 2021, 12:19 PM

There are a few sheffield made spearpoint bowies with mexican snake/eagle motif on the pommel. They also made bowies of all types with cutlery style metal handles. Your looks like a superior grade spearpoint (Mexican?) bowie. I like it in any case.

Mel H · 29th December 2021, 05:07 PM

There's an interesting piece here on the forum on the knives of South America titled. A Short Essay About Gaucho Knives. The one being discussed does share some characteristics.
Some were made in Solingen.

kronckew · 29th December 2021, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mel H

There's an interesting piece here on the forum on the knives of South America titled. A Short Essay About Gaucho Knives. The one being discussed does share some characteristics.
Some were made in Solingen.

My first impression before noting the Eagle & Snake was it was very Gaucho-looking. Googling Mexican and/or gaucho didn't turn up anything for me tho. it'd, as usual, help if we had a scabbard to consider. (My gaucho knives do not have false edges on their spines though the OP subject one may have had one added by an owner.)

27th December 2021, 05:56 PM	#1
Gonzoadler Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Germany Posts: 239	Fine engraved full steel knife - Italian? Hello, I purchased this nice knife. It seems that handle and blade are made of one piece of steel. The handle shows a forged or cut eagle head, the blade is engraved on both sides with an eagle with a snake and a lion's head. total length: 20cm; blade length: 11,5cm I have two questions and I am happy for all answers and suggestions: 1. Some 18th and 19th century italian knives are similar to this piece but not equal. So, were it could been made? 2. How old could it be? Thank you and many greetings Robin Attached Images

28th December 2021, 01:54 PM	#2
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,052	Eagle and snake is a classic Mexican motif, so I would suggest Mexico as origin.

29th December 2021, 11:41 AM	#4
Gonzoadler Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Germany Posts: 239	Thank you guys, I looked in the internet for mexican knives which are similar to my piece. There are some knives with eagle heads on the handle or an eagle with a snake (and maybe a cactus) as motif on the blade. But in most cases they are bowie-knife-like, missing fine engravings (19th century examples sometimes have a good quality etching) and/or made with other techniques. For example, I didn't find any full steel pieces. Most mexican knives of any age are of lower quality and don't look very similar to my piece. So it is a bit doubtful for me if it is mexican. Maybe somebody have a picture of a more or less similar piece or other suggestions?

29th December 2021, 12:19 PM	#5
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,150	There are a few sheffield made spearpoint bowies with mexican snake/eagle motif on the pommel. They also made bowies of all types with cutlery style metal handles. Your looks like a superior grade spearpoint (Mexican?) bowie. I like it in any case.

29th December 2021, 05:07 PM	#6
Mel H Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: North East England. Posts: 107	There's an interesting piece here on the forum on the knives of South America titled. A Short Essay About Gaucho Knives. The one being discussed does share some characteristics. Some were made in Solingen.