A bone hilted dagger for id!

Sajen · 4th January 2026, 06:15 PM

Hello dear members,

I just won this unusual bone hilted dagger. The seller suggested that it could be a Freemason dagger!? Which sort of bone could it be? The dagger is 31,4 cm long. The cap at the hilts end is silver and engraved.
Any suggestions? Age? (I guess 19th c.)

Thank you in advance,
Detlef

M ELEY · 5th January 2026, 04:06 PM

Hello Sajen. I know next to nothing on these, but just had to say it is beautiful piece! I think the classification for Freemason is possible based on the crossguard pattern, which seems to resemble other crossguards on Mason swords and daggers I've seen. If not, it is still amazingly crafted. Even the bone appears to have no flaws or blemishes. The time period is definitely mid to late 19th, again based on that gurd pattern-

Jim McDougall · 5th January 2026, 06:13 PM

Hi Detlef,
I would totally agree with the Capn's perceptive observations, and this is an extremely attractive stiletto with distinctly Masonic potential. As noted, the cross guard vestigially recalls the crossed bones which appear as such on the daggers in Masonic regalia with skull pommels.

These are part of the Masonic symbolism known as 'memento mori', which of course is a reminder of man's potential mortality, with skulls and crossed bones being symbolic.

In the latter quarter of the 19th century, there seems to have been a propensity of using bone in hilts, and here in the US, it appears that military officers swords often became host weapons. I once had a M1840 staff officers sword which was most unusual as the standard brass wire grip was replaced with a horn grip. As it was decades ago, and not knowing what it was, I unfortunately let it go

Looking back, I can now see it in this post Civil War fraternal context, much as I agree this stiletto probably is.

Adding to the likely Masonic context here, are the initials engraved in the pommel cap.

While Masonic weapons have typically been overlooked by arms collectors, since the publication of the book "American Fraternal Swords" by John D. Hamiliton, Joseph Marino and James Kaplan, that has quite changed.

The skull and bones theme seems to have been quite well used in French Masonic context as well, as seen in this bizarre sword with full gauntlet style hilt in skull shape, mounted with Napoleonic cuirassier sword blade.

Most attractive dagger with intriguing Masonic potential!

Sajen · 5th January 2026, 08:08 PM

Thank you both for comment! So it could be indeed a Freemason dagger. Any guess from which bone the hilt could be?

Regards,
Detlef

Jim McDougall · 5th January 2026, 10:15 PM

My guess would be bovine as contrary to ethnographic symbolism and holdings as far as I know there were no such preferences or restrictions on such materials in the west, it was simply a substitute for ivory. In effect, the bone material is not as important as the other symbolism. However it does seem that with the fancy swords of regalia, there were high ranking ones such as commander which may have used ivory.

Sajen · 5th January 2026, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

My guess would be bovine as contrary to ethnographic symbolism and holdings as far as I know there were no such preferences or restrictions on such materials in the west, it was simply a substitute for ivory. In effect, the bone material is not as important as the other symbolism. However it does seem that with the fancy swords of regalia, there were high ranking ones such as commander which may have used ivory.

Hi Jim,

That it is bone is clearly visible, my question was which sort of bone it could be? I ask because the seller suggested that it could be human bone!

Regards,
Detlef

Jim McDougall · Yesterday, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hi Jim,

That it is bone is clearly visible, my question was which sort of bone it could be? I ask because the seller suggested that it could be human bone!

Regards,
Detlef

Yikes! While there have been cases of human remains used in such a way, most notably in Tibet, where there are unusual perspectives toward such things, but I had not been aware of any such practices here. I suppose only forensic examination might reveal that.

Sajen · Yesterday, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Yikes! While there have been cases of human remains used in such a way, most notably in Tibet, where there are unusual perspectives toward such things, but I had not been aware of any such practices here. I suppose only forensic examination might reveal that.

Hi Jim,

I know that collectors of New Guinea bone daggers are able to distinguish between Cassowary bone daggers and human bone daggers, I think that the colour of the bone is the key. Also the bulge of the bone plays a rule.

Regards,
Detlef

Sajen · Yesterday, 01:02 PM

I personally think that it's very unlikely that the hilt is from human bone, the dagger is 31,4 cm long, so the handle will be a little bit under 10 cm long, which human bone would fit this size?
I think that the dagger could be a "coup de grace" dagger from a rich/important person from the mid. to end of the 19th century and the bone is maybe from a deer leg. I asked which bone it could be because the seller brought human bone in play but I personally think that this is most unlikely.

I also don't think that it is a Freemason dagger, but this is a personal guess since I just don't know enough about this category of daggers.

But it would be interesting to read what others think about this dagger!

4th January 2026, 06:15 PM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,519	A bone hilted dagger for id! Hello dear members, I just won this unusual bone hilted dagger. The seller suggested that it could be a Freemason dagger!? Which sort of bone could it be? The dagger is 31,4 cm long. The cap at the hilts end is silver and engraved. Any suggestions? Age? (I guess 19th c.) Thank you in advance, Detlef Attached Images

5th January 2026, 06:13 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,761	Hi Detlef, I would totally agree with the Capn's perceptive observations, and this is an extremely attractive stiletto with distinctly Masonic potential. As noted, the cross guard vestigially recalls the crossed bones which appear as such on the daggers in Masonic regalia with skull pommels. These are part of the Masonic symbolism known as 'memento mori', which of course is a reminder of man's potential mortality, with skulls and crossed bones being symbolic. In the latter quarter of the 19th century, there seems to have been a propensity of using bone in hilts, and here in the US, it appears that military officers swords often became host weapons. I once had a M1840 staff officers sword which was most unusual as the standard brass wire grip was replaced with a horn grip. As it was decades ago, and not knowing what it was, I unfortunately let it go Looking back, I can now see it in this post Civil War fraternal context, much as I agree this stiletto probably is. Adding to the likely Masonic context here, are the initials engraved in the pommel cap. While Masonic weapons have typically been overlooked by arms collectors, since the publication of the book "American Fraternal Swords" by John D. Hamiliton, Joseph Marino and James Kaplan, that has quite changed. The skull and bones theme seems to have been quite well used in French Masonic context as well, as seen in this bizarre sword with full gauntlet style hilt in skull shape, mounted with Napoleonic cuirassier sword blade. Most attractive dagger with intriguing Masonic potential! Attached Images

5th January 2026, 04:06 PM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,214	Hello Sajen. I know next to nothing on these, but just had to say it is beautiful piece! I think the classification for Freemason is possible based on the crossguard pattern, which seems to resemble other crossguards on Mason swords and daggers I've seen. If not, it is still amazingly crafted. Even the bone appears to have no flaws or blemishes. The time period is definitely mid to late 19th, again based on that gurd pattern-

5th January 2026, 08:08 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,519	Thank you both for comment! So it could be indeed a Freemason dagger. Any guess from which bone the hilt could be? Regards, Detlef

5th January 2026, 10:15 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,761	My guess would be bovine as contrary to ethnographic symbolism and holdings as far as I know there were no such preferences or restrictions on such materials in the west, it was simply a substitute for ivory. In effect, the bone material is not as important as the other symbolism. However it does seem that with the fancy swords of regalia, there were high ranking ones such as commander which may have used ivory.

Yesterday, 01:02 PM	#9
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,519	I personally think that it's very unlikely that the hilt is from human bone, the dagger is 31,4 cm long, so the handle will be a little bit under 10 cm long, which human bone would fit this size? I think that the dagger could be a "coup de grace" dagger from a rich/important person from the mid. to end of the 19th century and the bone is maybe from a deer leg. I asked which bone it could be because the seller brought human bone in play but I personally think that this is most unlikely. I also don't think that it is a Freemason dagger, but this is a personal guess since I just don't know enough about this category of daggers. But it would be interesting to read what others think about this dagger!