Baselard Question -- myArmoury.com

D. Raleigh · Posted: Sat 27 Jul, 2024 5:12 pm Post subject: Baselard Question

Quick question about the Swiss/German Baselard. You know the one, it has a shallow crescent as both the pommel and the...front of the hilt. Since it doesn't stick out I'm not calling it quillons, though if I'm wrong it wouldn't be the first time.
Anyway.
Tod's website says that this weapon is 14th-15th centuries. I'm wondering if the design wasn't popular even later. It has been, after all, also called the Holbein dagger, and Hans Holbein was painting into the 16th century.
Is it reasonable to guess that it could have been carried by an Elizabethan?

Gramercies.

Anthony Clipsom · Posted: Sun 28 Jul, 2024 5:58 am Post subject:

If the dating of this example in the V&A is correct (1592) then yes

https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O93197/holbein-dagger-dagger-sheath-and-unknown/

The context of carrying may well need exploring. Is this, for example, a hunting weapon rather than something for day-to-day use?

Dan Kary · Posted: Sun 28 Jul, 2024 11:05 am Post subject:

Baselards, or probably more accurately in this case "swiss daggers", changed quite a bit over time. Tod's stuff is dated correctly, and you are also right. His daggers represent the 15th (or earlier) Century while in the 16th they evolved into the Holbein style. I'm not sure about the Elizabethans though.

D. Raleigh · Posted: Wed 07 Aug, 2024 12:01 pm Post subject:

Thank you, gentlemen.