Gaucho knife by Sheffield

alex8765 · 27th December 2018, 12:55 PM

Hi Chris,
The knife is still in the mail. I'll made more pictures when it will arrive.
Regards
Alex

alex8765 · 14th January 2019, 03:38 PM

Hi Chris,
The scabbard is attached via belt clip, see picture.
Regards
Alex

Chris Evans · 15th January 2019, 01:56 AM

Hi Alex,

Thanks for the photo.

You have a very interesting and somewhat unusual high quality knife pertaining to the Pampean regions of South America.

It is in all probability an old one, with an English trade blade mounted by a local silversmith, though it cannot be ruled out that it was made to order elsewhere, as many in use in that part of the world were.

The original owner of this knife would have been a man of some wealth and status as they were the only ones who could afford such a fine piece.

By modern Argentinean classification, it is a "facon" and not being a working knife, the ownership of these in the course of the 19th century was highly discouraged, effectively banned, for all except the military, ranch owners and their overseers.

I looked through two lavishly illustrated reference books, one being Domenech's Dagas De Plata, and could not find one quite like it, the unusual part being the elaborate handguard/quillons; Local silversmiths favouring a guard fashioned from a flat piece of metal.

Could you perhaps tell us where you obtained it from?

If you like a more positive identification, I suggest that you write to Mr Abel Domenech in Argentina, who can be contacted at dom_reloader@yahoo.com

Abel has a fluent command of English and has helped forum members in the past. His website is http://www.domenech.com.ar/index.htm

Cheers
Chris

alex8765 · 15th January 2019, 06:38 PM

Hi Chris,
This is very helpful information, thank you very much!
I purchased this knife at the online auction with no information about it. I will try to contact Mr Abel Domenech as you recommended.
Regards
Alex

Chris Evans · 16th January 2019, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex8765

Hi Chris,
This is very helpful information, thank you very much!
I purchased this knife at the online auction with no information about it. I will try to contact Mr Abel Domenech as you recommended.
Regards
Alex

Creole knives (cuchillo Criollo) with old trade blades are highly valued in Sth America, and you backed a winner with this knife - I am envious!

Cheers
Chris

alex8765 · 16th January 2019, 01:34 PM

Thank you gentlemen

kronckew · 16th January 2019, 05:41 PM

Good catch! An excellent facon. Wish I'd seen it...

The facon I gather were the longer fighting knives/short swords, often made from bayonets, more for status than actual use in combat, while the ones the Gauchos used were more of a utility knife which occasionally got misdirected into fighting, The blade generally more offset and usually did not have a cross guard. As in all things, there may be exceptions...

Norman McCormick · 15th January 2019, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Evans

Abel has a fluent command of English and has helped forum members in the past.

Cheers
Chris

I can personally vouch for Mr Domenech's willingness and kindness in sharing his vast knowledge of this subject.
Regards,
Norman.

mross · 15th January 2019, 09:16 PM

Wow, that is gorgeous. More like a piece of jewelry than an art knife.

Fernando K · 15th January 2019, 09:32 PM

Hello

The letters T P V indicate the name of the silversmith who added the sheet.

On the other hand, I think a sheet that has been re-used, because the brand is off center.

Affectionately

14th January 2019, 03:38 PM	#2
alex8765 Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: NYC Posts: 63	Hi Chris, The scabbard is attached via belt clip, see picture. Regards Alex Attached Images

27th December 2018, 12:55 PM	#1
alex8765 Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: NYC Posts: 63	Hi Chris, The knife is still in the mail. I'll made more pictures when it will arrive. Regards Alex

15th January 2019, 01:56 AM	#3
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 685	Hi Alex, Thanks for the photo. You have a very interesting and somewhat unusual high quality knife pertaining to the Pampean regions of South America. It is in all probability an old one, with an English trade blade mounted by a local silversmith, though it cannot be ruled out that it was made to order elsewhere, as many in use in that part of the world were. The original owner of this knife would have been a man of some wealth and status as they were the only ones who could afford such a fine piece. By modern Argentinean classification, it is a "facon" and not being a working knife, the ownership of these in the course of the 19th century was highly discouraged, effectively banned, for all except the military, ranch owners and their overseers. I looked through two lavishly illustrated reference books, one being Domenech's Dagas De Plata, and could not find one quite like it, the unusual part being the elaborate handguard/quillons; Local silversmiths favouring a guard fashioned from a flat piece of metal. Could you perhaps tell us where you obtained it from? If you like a more positive identification, I suggest that you write to Mr Abel Domenech in Argentina, who can be contacted at dom_reloader@yahoo.com Abel has a fluent command of English and has helped forum members in the past. His website is http://www.domenech.com.ar/index.htm Cheers Chris

15th January 2019, 06:38 PM	#4
alex8765 Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: NYC Posts: 63	Hi Chris, This is very helpful information, thank you very much! I purchased this knife at the online auction with no information about it. I will try to contact Mr Abel Domenech as you recommended. Regards Alex

16th January 2019, 01:34 PM	#6
alex8765 Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: NYC Posts: 63	Thank you gentlemen

16th January 2019, 05:41 PM	#7
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,238	Good catch! An excellent facon. Wish I'd seen it... The facon I gather were the longer fighting knives/short swords, often made from bayonets, more for status than actual use in combat, while the ones the Gauchos used were more of a utility knife which occasionally got misdirected into fighting, The blade generally more offset and usually did not have a cross guard. As in all things, there may be exceptions...

15th January 2019, 09:16 PM	#9
mross Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 478	Wow, that is gorgeous. More like a piece of jewelry than an art knife.

15th January 2019, 09:32 PM	#10
Fernando K Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 671	Hello The letters T P V indicate the name of the silversmith who added the sheet. On the other hand, I think a sheet that has been re-used, because the brand is off center. Affectionately