European (Italian?) Dagger

Spunjer · 23rd March 2011, 03:10 PM

hello,
my first post here.. a friend of mine knew my obsession with sharp thingies, so he asked me if i could help him on a dagger he picked up recently. only problem is i have no clue regarding european daggers, so i told him i'll take some photos and ask the experts here. so here it is:

the dagger has a 10 inch blade, unsharpened edge, with a single deep fuller. in the fuller, i can make out "FRANZINI" and what looks like a maker's mark. the handle is about 6 inches long, made out of rosewood and a crossguard and pommel made out of brass

Spunjer · 23rd March 2011, 03:12 PM

more pics:

he would like to know the provenance of this dagger, and how old is it? from the way it looks, the blade looks old, perhaps1800's? thanks in advance!

Spunjer · 26th March 2011, 01:10 PM

Any info on this?

fernando · 26th March 2011, 01:57 PM

Hi Spunjer,
I am surprised with the silence of our experts; but they will end up coming in, i am sure.
For a start, i would suggest that this blade was originaly longer, belonging to a sword, judging by the extension of the fuller almost reaching the tip of the blade, which is not normal, and also by the blade base (forte), typical to a sword hilt mount.
Let's see if this humble 'diagnosis' calls for the guys with much more knowledge of these things.
On the other hand, it would be nice that you post better pictures of the Franzini inscription and the maker's mark, for better appreciation of this fine loooking blade.

A Senefelder · 26th March 2011, 02:07 PM

I don't know if this is a starting point or not but i've found several references in auctions to a Mediteranian musket stamped by an M. Franzini http://rockislandauction.com/viewitem/aid/50/lid/68 . The overall appearence of the dagger is 18th century to my eyes. Fernando, I was wondering if the blade may have been cut down as well.

fernando · 26th March 2011, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A Senefelder

I don't know if this is a starting point or not but i've found several references in auctions to a Mediteranian musket stamped by an M. Franzini http://rockislandauction.com/viewitem/aid/50/lid/68 . .

I saw that as well, but hardly firearm makers are also sword makers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by A Senefelder

The overall appearence of the dagger is 18th century to my eyes..

Yes, or even earlier ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by A Senefelder

Fernando, I was wondering if the blade may have
been cut down as well.

That's what i have tried to say, but didn't put it the right way

.

A Senefelder · 26th March 2011, 02:54 PM

Quote:

I saw that as well, but hardly firearm makers are also sword makers.

Is it possible that M.Franzini referes to a firm? Several craftsman of different types working for a mastercraftsman? Of course given the popularity of plagerizing the names of renown makers like Ferrara its quite possible that the Franzini name has been used by another maker on this example to appear to be some one elses work.

23rd March 2011, 03:10 PM	#1
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	European (Italian?) Dagger hello, my first post here.. a friend of mine knew my obsession with sharp thingies, so he asked me if i could help him on a dagger he picked up recently. only problem is i have no clue regarding european daggers, so i told him i'll take some photos and ask the experts here. so here it is: the dagger has a 10 inch blade, unsharpened edge, with a single deep fuller. in the fuller, i can make out "FRANZINI" and what looks like a maker's mark. the handle is about 6 inches long, made out of rosewood and a crossguard and pommel made out of brass

23rd March 2011, 03:12 PM	#2
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	more pics: he would like to know the provenance of this dagger, and how old is it? from the way it looks, the blade looks old, perhaps1800's? thanks in advance!

26th March 2011, 01:10 PM	#3
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	Any info on this?

26th March 2011, 01:57 PM	#4
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	Hi Spunjer, I am surprised with the silence of our experts; but they will end up coming in, i am sure. For a start, i would suggest that this blade was originaly longer, belonging to a sword, judging by the extension of the fuller almost reaching the tip of the blade, which is not normal, and also by the blade base (forte), typical to a sword hilt mount. Let's see if this humble 'diagnosis' calls for the guys with much more knowledge of these things. On the other hand, it would be nice that you post better pictures of the Franzini inscription and the maker's mark, for better appreciation of this fine loooking blade.

26th March 2011, 02:07 PM	#5
A Senefelder Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 214	I don't know if this is a starting point or not but i've found several references in auctions to a Mediteranian musket stamped by an M. Franzini http://rockislandauction.com/viewitem/aid/50/lid/68 . The overall appearence of the dagger is 18th century to my eyes. Fernando, I was wondering if the blade may have been cut down as well.