Ring Guard Dagger Italy 17th

This dagger comes from Italy (or Spain) and can be dated to the beginning of the 17th century. It can be classified as a "left hand" dagger because of the guard ring, although the blade also suggests a strong stiletto blade. Perhaps it is an example of those daggers worn hidden on the back, "in the Italian manner", according to contemporary authors.
The narrow, tapered blade, designed to pass through the rings of certain chainmail, was intended to inflict deep wounds, which were very difficult to treat at the time.
BLADE: after a baluster-shaped ricasso, it takes on a tapered diamond-shaped section. All the balance is in the handle, which is quite heavy in order to give power to the blow. Blade length = 20.5 cm, width at the ricasso = 1 cm, thickness at the ricasso = 7.3 mm
GUARD it is a guard called "cross with ring" with 2 quillons curved towards the blade. all parts are decorated with hollows, of which the 3 outermost of each quillon are through the quillon.
POMMEL: it is of elongated octagonal section and ends with a button on which the tang of the blade is riveted.
GRIP : It is covered with a twisted wire binding in chevrons, alternating with a simple steel wire. The ferrules in braided crowns called "Turk's heads" are present and in good condition.

It is therefore a particularly unusual model of dagger, which must have known nocturnal adventures in badly frequented streets, and which will integrate without worry into a collection of Haute Epoque.
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Ref BX 2462