Lew Waldman's Ethnographic Arms & Armour Collection Archive


1060 - Heavy Single Edge Knife with a Brass Forefinger Ring Guard

From its origin at the cylindrical grooved bolster, this blade measures 13¼ inches (34 cm) in length. A sharp minimally concave cutting edge (perhaps the result of rehoning) is opposite a less sharp back edge reflecting back about a third of the length of the blade. Otherwise the spine of this robust blade tapers from a thickness of ¼ inch (0.65 cm) at its base. A stamped mark of a crown over a cursive 'R' at the base of the blade suggests a European origin for a blade that is otherwise only decorated on either side with a series of shallow grooves or lines perpendicular to the length of the blade. Slight imperfections indicate the blade to have been forged. The hilt incorporates a brass forefinger ring guard next to a brass ferrule and a well shaped dark horn hilt with a brass tang button and is quite comfortable in the hand. Overall length is 18¾ inches (47.5 cm) with a weight of just under 15 ounces (422 grams).




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