A) RARE RONDEL DAGGER CIRCA 1400: This knightly weapon has a circular guard and a circular pommel with piercings, possibly for a cloth cover. It has a very sharp three-sided estoc blade. The reverse conical grip is decorated with diamond-shaped figures and brass inlay. It is in museum condition.

Discussion:  The pommels on daggers, before 1400, followed the same typology as those found on swords (wheel, disk, conical, etc., see pages 242-243 in my book). The idea of the double circular hilt was for the dagger not to slip out of the knight’s hand. By circa 1400, the pommel was circular like the guard but larger; pommels after 1450 were so wide that gripping the dagger could only be done with a downward grip. The pommel and guard were usually made from one piece or two convex plates attached at the edges. Some hilts were made from exotic materials such as horn, wood, brass, and bone; often, the edges were exposed for maximum decorative effect. The blade of a rondel dagger is typically triangular to increase its penetration into mail and other soft armor, such as non-hardened leather or quilted (padded) fabric. The theory behind a triangular blade rondel dagger is similar in concept to that of an estoc (see page 295 in my book). Some variants of rondel daggers, instead of having a triangular blade, have a reinforced diamond-shaped blade or single edge (see page 317 in my book). The grips vary, but they are usually made from a cylindrical piece of wood, bone, or metal drilled through the center to accommodate the tang. Cylindrical grips could be carved in a spiral fashion with another decorative design. Other grips were flat and made with layers, plaques, or scales riveted together through the tang.

B) A MEDIEVAL MULTI-PURPOSE KNIFE/DAGGER: The Medieval knife is a multipurpose knife and dagger used by villagers and peasants. This utilitarian yet simple knife served many useful purposes, anything from defense to peeling an apple. These knives are often in ground-find condition. The Medieval knife was the most common type of knife for hundreds of years, and nearly everybody had one. The most common is a single-edged blade. Usually, the grip curves in the direction of the edge. The grip has two scales of bone, wood, or antler and can have an iron butt cap by flattening the tang or a pommel. Some Medieval knives have a slight guard or bolster. The length is usually 10 to 14 inches and was carried in a simple leather sheath.

See page 331, item 20A, in my book for a near-identical example.

C) STOUT ITALIAN DAGGER CIRCA 1550: 

Masterfully twisted egg-shaped pommel, pommel decoration en suite with the horizontal guard. Original wooden grip covered with shagreen (eel skin) grip wraped with wire. Wide blade tapering quickly to a very sharp point, strong midial ridge. Condition very good. In summary, a superb early dagger in very good condition that was owned by a person of wealth and means !!!*

D) A MASSIVE SWISS DECORATED DAGGER/KNIFE CIRCA 1580: This is as elegant a knife as you will find anywhere. The deep chiseling is superb and masterful.

Discussion: Chiseling can be described as simply carving steel. Chiseling is more common on sword hilts. Examples of simple carved hilts can be seen as early as the 1200s. Chiseling came into vogue during the early Renaissance, and it was reserved for the wealthy. The original owner of this knife was a very wealthy man.  Italy had exceptional chiselers. Sadly their names have been lost by the obscurity of time and lack of surviving records.

E) THE QUINTESSENTIAL LANDSKNECHT DAGGER CIRCA 1550: This typology dagger is exceptionally rare in the collector‚ market. Even a ground-find of this typology is difficult to acquire and very expensive. Do not overlook this rarity because it’s a ground find.