Rare Complete Medieval Iron Dagger/Knife — Intact Handle & Guard
An exceptional and remarkably complete medieval iron dagger presented in excavated, uncleaned condition. Unlike the vast majority of medieval iron blades that survive as blade fragments alone, this example retains its fully intact iron handle and original asymmetric single-quillon guard — a survival that is genuinely uncommon and makes this a standout piece for any serious collector of medieval arms and militaria.
The handle preserves the original scale grip form with three visible rivet holes where handle scales of wood or bone were once secured. The grip is well-shaped and ergonomic, suggesting this was a quality piece rather than a simple utility knife. The guard features a single downward-curving quillon serving as a finger guard, a form widely documented in medieval Europe from approximately the 12th through 15th centuries. The blade is long and slender, tapering gracefully to a fine point, consistent with a fighting knife or baselard-style dagger.
The overall form is strongly reminiscent of the medieval baselard — a civilian fighting knife widely carried across medieval Europe and well documented in period manuscript illustrations and archaeological finds from Italy, Switzerland, and the broader Mediterranean world.
The piece is presented as-found, retaining its original excavated surface and heavy iron encrustation developed over centuries. Structurally sound and fully intact.
Provenance:
These items come from two lifetime collections assembled by United States Army soldiers stationed in Italy following World War II. Post-war Italy was economically devastated, and local families — drawing on their own personal collections — were selling historical items to make ends meet. These soldiers bought extensively during their time there and shipped the items back to the United States. They returned to Italy several years later to buy more, having developed a deep passion for collecting historical artifacts.
The collections passed from the soldiers to their sons, and then on to their grandsons. The items were subsequently purchased directly from one of those grandsons.
These pieces left Italy in the late 1940s to early 1950s, well before the 1970 UNESCO Convention on cultural property
Condition: Excavated, uncleaned. Heavy encrustation throughout. Structurally complete and intact.
selling as pictured.
more than welcome to pick up at shop in butler pa & save shipping.
022326 jy