hello,

I couldn't resist picking up this Main Gauche today. Does anyone recognize the maker? It is not particularly well made, but it may look well enough hung high on the wall.

-Adair

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Looks a bit like Armour Class' 17th Century Sail Guard Dagger. Maybe the buyer just asked for an acid etched design and custom quilions. The ricasso is quite different but it may just be an older version of the dagger.

Here's the link :

http://www.armourclass.co.uk/Data/Pages/17Century_3.htm

The finishing, file work, absence of recesses on the guard, does not look to me to be the work of armour class. Also, there seems to be a mark on the ricasso, either etched or stamped, maybe leaves of some sort ? Finally, you need to find a maker who also offers the acid etching as a custom or extra service. Finally, the sword breaker is not finished the same way: Armour Class leaves it square whereas this maker split the metal into two points.

Just to muddy the water's,
Armour Class did used to do custom etching if requested some years back, nowadays, I'm not sure,
But,
is this a recent one from the bay ? listed as Victorian repop, (or was that a rapier) :confused:
if so I was tempted, but had in mind it was either older MRL or Del Tin,
with maybe a cutler upgrade or works done at home added, looked nice in the pics,
if not there is a twin out there sold just recently, ;)
nice pick up either way, ;)

I can't tell if this dagger actually comes from Armour Class, but both shares common global features. It might help identification if you could take a clearer shot at the ricasso's mark. If it can help in anyway your researches, this acid etched heraldic is Castile and León's coat of arms.

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Olivier's research is bang on. This choice of heraldry, added to the owner's comment that it is not particularly well made, would bring me to look more at Spanish tourist offerings, and less at firms such as Armour Class or other similar makers who's reputations depend on the quality of their work.

Def not an Armour Class. I'd go with J-C, looks like a tourist item to me.

Many thanks for the replies. I think the description is suitable for me. I don't usually pick up such random blades, and it is out of my period of interest. I think I'll let it develop a nice patina and add it to the random panoply.

-Adair