strange dagger

thinreadline · 21st September 2021, 05:09 PM

Not sure if this should be in this section or the European ... please move if required.
This is a well made dagger but what on earth does the handle have that 'hook' for ? Hopefully one of our members will have seen this before ?

kronckew · 22nd September 2021, 05:57 AM

Looks like a repurposed decorative finial from a racing sulky horse harness. In ancient Roman times they called it 'chariot racing' & the driver carried a small knife to cut the reins in case of accident, I wonder if modern harness racers do too...

The 'hook' is to hold the check (or bearing) rein that serves to hold the horse's head up.

thinreadline · 22nd September 2021, 08:03 AM

Wow ... looks like you have hit the nail on the head ! That clearly is what it is . Thank you so much , this has been puzzling me for ages so cant thank you enough kronckew .

kronckew · 22nd September 2021, 09:03 AM

You are welcome!

-wayne

Ian · 22nd September 2021, 09:47 PM

Great ID Wayne!

Jim McDougall · 23rd September 2021, 02:25 AM

Wow! Wayne, how the heck did ya catch this one.....the scope of your very eclectic knowledge is amazing! nicely done!

21st September 2021, 05:09 PM	#1
thinreadline Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wirral Posts: 1,204	strange dagger Not sure if this should be in this section or the European ... please move if required. This is a well made dagger but what on earth does the handle have that 'hook' for ? Hopefully one of our members will have seen this before ? Attached Images

22nd September 2021, 05:57 AM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,150	Looks like a repurposed decorative finial from a racing sulky horse harness. In ancient Roman times they called it 'chariot racing' & the driver carried a small knife to cut the reins in case of accident, I wonder if modern harness racers do too... The 'hook' is to hold the check (or bearing) rein that serves to hold the horse's head up. Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 22nd September 2021 at 06:30 AM.

22nd September 2021, 08:03 AM	#3
thinreadline Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wirral Posts: 1,204	Wow ... looks like you have hit the nail on the head ! That clearly is what it is . Thank you so much , this has been puzzling me for ages so cant thank you enough kronckew .

22nd September 2021, 09:03 AM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,150	You are welcome! -wayne

22nd September 2021, 09:47 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,034	Great ID Wayne!

23rd September 2021, 02:25 AM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,758	Wow! Wayne, how the heck did ya catch this one.....the scope of your very eclectic knowledge is amazing! nicely done!