19th C. stiletto?

fernando · 19th August 2017, 12:54 PM

Excelent pieces, corrado

.

Bob A · 20th August 2017, 06:50 AM

If it does have some age, it would appear to have experienced little if any actual use or handling. Still, not an unattractive weapon, though possibly somewhat uncomfortable to use; the deep spiral would not seem to be particularly ergonomic, nor easy to keep in hand once it became slick with bodily fluids.

I may be wrong about my comments regarding the ergonomics. Shayde would be the one to speak to that issue.

thinreadline · 21st August 2017, 11:02 AM

what concerns me most about the wooden handle is that there is no trace either of the spiral grooves having ever been wrapped in wire or the wood covered in thin leather as I would have expected with this type of grip, To me it looks most likely to be a hobbyists project from the last 50 years or at best a Gothic revival piece . Nice nevertheless .

shayde78 · 23rd August 2017, 01:36 AM

Thank you, everyone, for your insights.

To respond to a couple posts:

-Corrado, your collection is magnificent! Do you see any similarities between the guard and pommel on my piece, and the second example you posted?

-Bob, the hilt is not dissimilar to the examples corrado provided. The ergonomics are quite nice, actually. When it comes to a dagger like these, I'm not sure if they would be expected to be wielded covered in gore. These were not melee weapons (as far as I know). But to your point, the sweaty palms one would likely experience in a potentially lethal situation would make a sure grip desirable. A hilt shaped like this fits that bill.

-thinreadline, would authentic daggers in this style have had wrapped hilts? Corrado's examples seem not to.

-Ken, I think my tuition is being paid as I buy questionable items of dubious quality.

too bad you all don't get a cut as my professors!

Finally, is the profile of the blade a clear giveaway? No fullers, no maker's mark, no ricasso, etc.

Oh, and the fact that there is no country of origin listed, does that suggest a 19th century date?

Once again, thanks for humoring my novice musings.

corrado26 · 23rd August 2017, 10:42 AM

The main characteristic of these early stilettos is their very thin and nevertheless very stiff and strong, three angled blade what made a stiletto to a very helpful tool in emergency situations. This is demonstrated by the Fotos. The dagger in question has a totally different blade and IMHO the only maybe original parts might be the crossguard and the pommel. By the way, there have never or at least very rarely been hilts with leather etc.
corrado26

23rd August 2017, 10:42 AM	#5
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,171	The main characteristic of these early stilettos is their very thin and nevertheless very stiff and strong, three angled blade what made a stiletto to a very helpful tool in emergency situations. This is demonstrated by the Fotos. The dagger in question has a totally different blade and IMHO the only maybe original parts might be the crossguard and the pommel. By the way, there have never or at least very rarely been hilts with leather etc. corrado26 Attached Images

19th August 2017, 12:54 PM	#1
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,647	Excelent pieces, corrado .

20th August 2017, 06:50 AM	#2
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 415	If it does have some age, it would appear to have experienced little if any actual use or handling. Still, not an unattractive weapon, though possibly somewhat uncomfortable to use; the deep spiral would not seem to be particularly ergonomic, nor easy to keep in hand once it became slick with bodily fluids. I may be wrong about my comments regarding the ergonomics. Shayde would be the one to speak to that issue.

21st August 2017, 11:02 AM	#3
thinreadline Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wirral Posts: 1,204	what concerns me most about the wooden handle is that there is no trace either of the spiral grooves having ever been wrapped in wire or the wood covered in thin leather as I would have expected with this type of grip, To me it looks most likely to be a hobbyists project from the last 50 years or at best a Gothic revival piece . Nice nevertheless .

23rd August 2017, 01:36 AM	#4
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 443	Thank you, everyone, for your insights. To respond to a couple posts: -Corrado, your collection is magnificent! Do you see any similarities between the guard and pommel on my piece, and the second example you posted? -Bob, the hilt is not dissimilar to the examples corrado provided. The ergonomics are quite nice, actually. When it comes to a dagger like these, I'm not sure if they would be expected to be wielded covered in gore. These were not melee weapons (as far as I know). But to your point, the sweaty palms one would likely experience in a potentially lethal situation would make a sure grip desirable. A hilt shaped like this fits that bill. -thinreadline, would authentic daggers in this style have had wrapped hilts? Corrado's examples seem not to. -Ken, I think my tuition is being paid as I buy questionable items of dubious quality. too bad you all don't get a cut as my professors! Finally, is the profile of the blade a clear giveaway? No fullers, no maker's mark, no ricasso, etc. Oh, and the fact that there is no country of origin listed, does that suggest a 19th century date? Once again, thanks for humoring my novice musings.