Left hand dagger for comments

[fernando]

Dagger arrived two days ago.
There is something that intrigues me; the interior design of the ring guard. I notice that these features are usually seen in (left hand) parrying daggers of this style, very so often with the same configuration.
My question: is this only a matter of (traditional) decoration or does it have any effectiveness in the handling of these daggers ?

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[M ELEY]

That is a spectacular piece, Fernando! You have an amazing ability to find the most desirable pieces! Do my weak eyes play tricks, or does the blade have traces of silver overlay? I'd love one of these for my collection!

[fernando]

Thank you for your flattering comments, Mark. I wish i had a collection based on such reality .
And no, no overlay. The visual efffects that are tricking you are due to the light reflex of excelent pictures taken by the seller.
But an effect that is tricking me is what i suspect to have been the maker's mark, faded by time and wear... which is a pity .
(Both pictures from same front side)

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[Jim McDougall]

Nando, this is I agree a wonderful piece, and I would as always, agree with Jasper's assessment in period. The German and Italian arms producers, as well as Spain, were so closely connected in diffused styles and most factors in arms and armor it would be hard to say which provenance.
This seems to have been heavily cleaned and regrettably the makers poincon is badly indiscernible, especially with the flashback in photos.
Perhaps once in hand in varying lighting it might be more viewable.

Excellent question on the curious parallel ridges and bulge in the ring loop guard, and whether simply motif or associated with production is hard to say. They of course would probably not have any specific purpose, but the ring itself would be a guard to prevent a blade from sliding toward the hand.

All the best
Jim

[M ELEY]

I always wondered if the rings on these were used to try and catch the blade's point, much as the long quillons were used? Being that its used in conjunction with the rapier, such a design for deflecting and possibly pinning the blade tip.

Thinking through that some more, I guess it wouldn't make sense to allow the point of an opponent's blade to pass through the ring along the defender's hand!! Interesting why they left the ring open on these early pieces, which later became closed guards...

[Robert]

Hello Fernando, I must agree with the others that this is a most wonderful dagger and that I am quite impressed with the condition it is in for its age. Have you tried doing a rubbing of the makers mark yet? Sometimes they will reveal things not readily seen by the naked eye. My congratulations to you on being able to acquire this very nice piece.

Best,
Robert

[fernando]

Thank you guys for all your comments.
Yes Jim, your assessmentts on either provenance and ring are more than correct. I have read an article in that a modern study was made on the effectiveness of the use on these daggers parrying ring, before and after its inplementation; te result was largely explicit.
Good points on the parrying issue, Mark; still my question goes for the 'grooves' on the lower part of the ring... as if these were an aiming back sight (sorry the fantasy). However it would be a further long shot to consider those as a 'rail' for the opponents sword to slide in for the breaking move. May i assume, by the way, that i am not a keen follower of the blade breaker system/s, as an actual effective procedure .
Thank you for your compliments and the heads up on the mark clearing, Robert. I must say however that, what has to be rubbed, was already done by the seller's (zealous) cleaning of this piece; no brighter image may longer show up. I will stand glad to, at least, ensure that there is a mark on this blade ... whatever it is