Large Left Hand Dagger Circa 1580

This large left-hand dagger is most likely Italian and can be dated to the 1580s. The hilt mount is unusual, as instead of the usual wire binding, there is a dark green leather covered grip, which is original as the "turk's heads" ferrules are upon the leather and not underneath. This is therefore not a repair but a type of mounting. This type of mounting is typically Italian, and two examples of Venetian sword hilts identical in their mounting, although slightly older, can be seen photographed in Ewart Oakeshott's book "The sword in the age of chivalry" pages plates 41 and 43D.
This very unusual grip would most likely have been "en suite" with a sword that also had a green leather covered grip and a faceted conical pommel. Unfortunately, very few sword-left hand pairs have survived to this day without being separated...
The practice of associating a left hand and a sword appeared around 1540 and fell into disuse at the beginning or middle of the 17th century, except of course in Spain and to a lesser extent in the South of Italy.
BLADE: it is a massive, robust blade made for combat. It begins with a strong ricasso of 3 cm which has on each face a hollow intended to support the thumb. The blade then widens and takes on a hexagonal section up to the point. Length of the blade = 30.4 cm width at the ricasso = 2.4 cm, width just after the ricasso = 3 cm, thickness at the ricasso = 6mm
GUARD: It is a guard with a central ring, quillons with 8 facets curved towards the blade and ending with a small tassel.
POMMEL: conical shape with 9 ridges topped with a button on which the blade's tang is riveted.
GRIP : it is twisted, and covered with the original dark green leather. Ferrules in braided crowns called "Turk's heads" present and original.

This dagger is powerful, massive, we feel that we are in the presence of a real weapon intended for a virile man and not a costume accessory for these slightly too elegant gentlemen who were called " lilies of the valley of the Court" under king Henry III of France...
Ref C-2450
Shipping costs France 20€, Europe 30€