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18th July 2006, 10:45 PM
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#1 |
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Madrid / Barcelona
Posts: 256
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It's an "Albacete" dagger, named such because this pattern is considered typical from the city of Albacete, in the actual Spanish region of Castilla La Mancha
The pictures are not clear enough to pass a truly accurate judgement about the age of this specimen, but if its indeed old, the style would coincide with the second half of the 19th. - beginning of 20th centuries. I would not place much hope in the blade's inscriptions. Decoration on these blades used to be punched with geometrical patterns of dots or etched with foliage and inscriptions. Featuring the manufaturing date is not unheard of, but it normally appars as an etching. The "Toledo" mark is even more spurious. In short, they are good candidates to be later additions. Despite of this, if it's indeed old it's a nice exemplar. My congratulations on actually finding a weapon really worth buying in the city, it's not easy, as you've already pointed out. And the few places with some genuine material are freakingly expensive... 
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19th July 2006, 05:50 AM
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#2 |
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 420
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Thank you Marc. By the way, the dealer's name is Julio Linares Graciani.
My wife and I are on our first visit to Spain and will soon go on to Barcelona. Are there shops or districts there you might recomend I visit? I collect edged weapons but my greater interest is in antique pistols. |
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19th July 2006, 10:24 AM
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#3 | |
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Madrid / Barcelona
Posts: 256
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Quote:
On the other hand, sadly, in the few years that have passed since I left Barcelona, the two most important antique shops specialized in arms and armour have closed their showrooms. They're not out of business, but now you can't just walk in... anyway, if you have time and your wife is in the right mood, you could make a stop at the Army Museum in Montjuďch Castle, or the Ethnological Museum, which is relatively close. While in Madrid, and related to the Arms and Armour field, don't miss, in this order, The Royal Armouries (in the Royal Palace), the Naval Museum, the Ethnological Museum, the Lázaro Galdeano Museum (I think the Arms and Armour section is only open in the weekends, phone them to check), the Instituto Valencia de Don Juan (only by appointment) or the Cerralbo Museum. Any touristic guide worth its salt should fill you in with the details of the places I mentioned...  Send me a PM if you plan to visit the Archaeological Museum, by the way. Oh, and, please, enjoy your stay I hope these days' heat wave isn't making things too difficult...
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20th July 2006, 08:33 AM
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#4 |
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 685
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Hi Marcus,
Not2sharp has summed it up pretty neatly. It is a dagger in the Albacete pattern, but its date of manufacture is a puzzle. If the inserts are indeed synthetic, as you suspect, (the handle looks too white to be bone) then that would date is as post WWI and daggers such as your were still being manufactured as late as 1960 for the tourist trade. I also find that "1870" highly suspect, and by way of comment can add that the practice of falsifying dates of manufacture as well as brands was not uncommon amongst Spanish cutlers. The all too ubiquitous "Toledo" can be found in any number of junk Spanish navajas, knives and swords, being a generic brand intended to beguile tourists, trading on the justly famous reputation of the sword blades manufactured in that city before the 20th cntry. I could not identify the logo-brand from my books Is the blade hardened? Cheers Chris |
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20th July 2006, 07:15 PM
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#5 |
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 420
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Is the blade hardened?
Chris,
As far as I can tell it is good steel. It has a nice sharp edge. However, I think Julio himself questioned the date. I can certainly believe that the stampings were added later to try to create a history for the piece. Anyway, when I get back to the states I will show it to my blacksmith friend and let you know what he says. Marcus |
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20th July 2006, 07:33 PM
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#6 | |
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 210
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Quote:
There is a real one for sale at Tienda: Av. Paluzie, 12 17800 Olot (Girona) SPAIN Tel.: (+34) 972 26 13 58 It is on their website here: http://www.infobase.net/sala/index3.html If you are still in the neighborhood; stop by and they will be able to help you identify your knife. n2s |
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20th July 2006, 10:28 PM
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#7 |
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 420
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what fits in the suitcase (and budget)
That is a really beautiful piece. However, what I bought is also pretty nice for only 85 euros (10% the price). In any case, it was certainly the nicest affordable piece I saw in Toledo. I only buy big ticket items when I can really afford the train fare.
Marcus |
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21st July 2006, 02:38 AM
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#8 | |
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 685
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Hi Not2sharp,
Quote:
I just would like to give them an endorsement - They are a real nice outfit. I had dealings with them over the years. Their prices are very reasonable and the description of the goods accurate. What is more, the owner speaks and writes English fluently. Now if I could only afford one of those magnificent rapiers...... Cheers Chris |
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21st July 2006, 02:34 AM
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#9 | |
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 685
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Hi Marcus,
Quote:
Be that as it may, you did not do badly at all for the price you paid because it is obviously handmade and E85 is small change in Spain for anything. Cheers Chris |
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