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Joined: Jul 2001
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jager Offline OP
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Last week`s find was another high for me in collecting. I am still researching the crown over PV, but the hunter looks like Bavarian. Houston thinks it may also be English, but whatever it is, a beauty. The dagger has an ivory grip with the blade and hilt all made from one piece of medal. Note the tip of the blade turns down (not up) and represents the beak of an eagle with the eye surrounded with feathers. Took me two days to realize what this design was. The scabbard fittings are silver or German silver. All engraving is very high quality and I would put the date somewhere around the middle 1800. Sorry for the less than good picture, but hope you enjoy. James

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James,

Nice knife. Curious, what's the length and width of the blade and how thick is the spine? Thanks.

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jager Offline OP
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Mikee, Overall length is 18.5 inches. Blade is 13 X 2 inches wide. Spine width is .250 inches. James

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James,

A very nice knife! I don't know make of origin and this is just a guess of course, but due to the shape of the blade I don't believe it's main purpose was to field dress or gut an animal, skin it, chop it up or kill it, although it probably could. And although this knife was more than likely used for multiple purposes, I think it's main use was for the purpose of carving up meat. A type of carving knife or tranchierenmesser to serve up a good roast or venison with and carried along with other type eating utensils and hunting knifes. I've seen small versions of your knife that were used to cut bread, meat and vegetables up with. It doesn't look like it but thought I'd ask. Is the spine of the blade sharp and or thinner from the eye to the tip? Thanks.

Here's a little kitchen knife, six inch blade with a little more slope to it.

Unique-knike-blade.jpg (118.01 KB, 215 downloads)
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jager Offline OP
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Mikee, The top edge is very sharp from the eye to the tip. Overall very heavy, so probably used in the field for chop-chop. Also based on the fine details, it could have been used for show. Hope to know more about it when I find the maker. James

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Hi James

I've got something similar at around the same size as well, no maker mark on mine but it is double etched. Don't know what mine is for either.
Mikee
It seems a little cumbersome for carving, mine shows no sharpening and is a plated blade, with the two blood grooves to the bottom edge I had supposed it was some kind of hunting knife, this thing could stick a boar easily, the weight is substantial.

Nice to see another

Cheers

Gary

Unknown knife 002a.JPG (87.9 KB, 183 downloads)
Unknown knife 001a.JPG (78.68 KB, 183 downloads)
Unknown knife 003a.JPG (106.4 KB, 184 downloads)
Unknown knife 005a.JPG (114.5 KB, 183 downloads)
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jager Offline OP
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Very nice Gary. They look to be about the same size, so must have had a good purpose. I really like the unusual pieces and the one you show fits into that category. Again, nice to see the different styles used in the hunt. Thanks, James

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James, I thought so, from the eye to the point is sharp. I could be wrong, but the eye I believe is a visual reminder to the user not to forget that this area is sharp and that it will cut no further when used. Some have a notch on the spine. That changes things and I agree, as I said your knife could be used for many purposes for the outdoors. Did I say I was jealous! grin

Gary, You and James find great hunting items, what a stunner you have. I agree yours looks to be the same. Unsharpened or just dull?

Thanks for sharing them with us and I wonder what Bill thinks of these types. Bill, HELP!!

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Mikee

I cannot see any grinding marks, it is fairly dull though I suispect it did have an edge at the time of manufacture.

Cheers

Gary

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Gents,

Three nice examples of blades having the "down-style" blade tip, a design that stems back to the 14th century in Europe, common to eating utensils and hunting accessories. The only modern knives I can think of with the down-style tip would be baker's cutlery for cutting bread.

I've never seen the eyelet found in James' blade before, simply a decorative purpose? If the tool was used for cutting or carving meat I'd think it was impractical as blood and flesh would tend to lodge in it? Extra care would need to be taken when cleaning and disinfecting the instrument. I can see how the simple clean lines of the design could lead one to think the piece is of English origin. German pieces were usually just a tad more ornate, like the bird's head pommel on Gary's example.

I think both James' and Gary's knives would have been associated with the hunt as they both have scabbards and most likely would be carried with implements protected inside. To me, both blade types remind us somewhat of the early Jagdpraxen, though, nowhere near as heavy.

Mikee, that's a fine kitchen knife, does the eyelet swivel 360 degrees? Love that colorful inlay-pattern that decorates the grip, I wonder if it came from a larger set of knives? No matter, it's a wonderful little knife to remind one of the early days of the hunt.

Excellent, good looking pieces all, thanks very much for sharing them with us.

Best!

Bill

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Bill,

Always good to get your insights into these things we love to collect. Thank you, it is a pretty neat knife and it does swivel 360 degrees.

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F
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Re: The unique blades shown by James and Gary.

Stylistically, could these be more accurately described as "Hauswehr", home defense knives with everyday utilitarian purpose?

Just wondering...






Last edited by foxart; 11/27/2013 05:47 PM.

Roger
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Roger,

Can't see why not ..? I'd hate to get whacked with one of those babies!! grin

Best!

Bill


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