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Arms & Armor Custom Rondel Dagger
Original: French or Spanish, 15th century

Named for its hilt, formed of a grip surrounded by one or more discs (rondels), the rondel dagger was a popular weapon with soldiers of the 14th and 15th centuries. While many examples fall within an expected size range (12 to 18 inches in overall length), some are much larger, with lengths approaching 24 inches. While debate exists today about who used daggers of this length (nearly short swords, really) as well as how these weapons were employed, period art shows them in the hands and at the belts of knights, nobles, and people dressed more as commoners. An intriguing example rests in the Museo Nazionale Del Bargello in Florence, Italy. Its form is entirely typical of rondel daggers, except that it stretches to around two feet in overall length.

This replica by Arms & Armor closely matches that original. The thick rondels are of steel, as is the long, diamond-sectioned blade. The grip (missing on the original and recreated using period features) is of wood, with three strands of bronze wire spiraling down its length. Atop the upper rondel sit three bronze buttons, as on the original. The sheath is of brown leather, tooled with period designs.

See our hands-on review for more information on this dagger.

Chad Arnow's Collection

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