Spanish Dirk?

[DaveA]

To my eye this strongly resembles a plug bayonet, probably Spanish, late 18th to early 19th C. These had dual use as daggers or could be mounted in the barrel of a gun, for example, when hunting to safely dispatch a wounded animal.

Dave A

[fernando]

Originally Posted by DaveA

To my eye this strongly resembles a plug bayonet, probably Spanish, late 18th to early 19th C. These had dual use as daggers or could be mounted in the barrel of a gun, for example, when hunting to safely dispatch a wounded animal...Dave A

Not the right shape, i am afraid, David.
Plug bayonet grips must swell all the way to the guard, to progressively 'plug' into the barrel. And their purpose was more to defend the hunter from the wounded animal strike back, in lack of time to reload the gun !.


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[carlos]

My first impression was filipino origen, the albacete knives have similar form, but I think this piece is from Philippines.
Carlos

[Jim McDougall]

As Fernando has well observed in post #28, this example being discussed is clearly not a plug bayonet as the swell in the grip is opposed to the shape required for insertion into a gun barrel.

However, the plug bayonet, much as many weapon forms and features, remained in use traditionally much longer than many realize with Spaniards.
There were examples vestigially made in the plug bayonet form even into the 19th c. which continued to serve as a hunting knife, and the designs often would lean toward the features of other examples of knives in use at the time.

I think observers here have compellingly shown the example in discussion as probably of Philippine origin, and that features such as the concave rebates at the base of the blade are a feature seen in other examples of these types found in Philippine context.

The Spanish influences in arms and even armor in many cases (Moro examples) is well established in the Philippine archipelago with their colonial presence there until the end of the 19th c. as Mark has pointed out in #9.
The features of some Albacete knives no doubt crept into designs along with of course other Spanish and perhaps Asian features in the producing of these knives/dirks.

[fernando]

So true that plug bayonets remained in use well into the XIX century, serving as hunting knives but preserving their original shape, eventually made with the finest materials.
... As may be seen in the uniform of Spanish King Alfonso XIII (1886-1931) gamekeepers, those with apparent ivory grips, and the two luxury examples residing in the Portuguese Ducal Palace of Vila viçosa (Toledo production 1859-1863).


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[RobT]

Ian,

I have a dagger just like yours and, like yours, mine is missing the hilt wrap. I have seen a few of these daggers over the years, so I guess that they are popular but I don't ever recall seeing one with the hilt wrap present. Perhaps the sheath for my dagger will help to confirm your surmise of origin or even narrow it down a bit.

Sincerely,
RobT

[Ian]

Hi RobT,

Yes, a twin for mine. The scabbard could be from the Philippines, although the belt loop looks more Mexican. On looking back through my records, the sale receipt had a note "Mexican?", and now I'm not so sure it is from the Philippines. In either case, "Spanish Colonial" would fit.

Ian.

[Ian]

Another small Filipino dagger (bottom) with this blade profile. I'm confident this one is of an Ilokano style and made either in Northern or Central Luzon.


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