I recently got a new dagger at a goodwill for $6. it is in very good condition. I was wondering if anyone has information on this? are how much they actually go for?

Thanks
-Sean

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Can you give a picture of the whole dagger and any possible markings on the blade? I tend to think it's a stainless steel decorative blade.

Six bucks?? Sweet! Shoot, *my* thrift stores never have anything like that! Nice catch. I'm guessing it's a high-end letter opener, but maybe it's a prop repro from "Game of Thrones", or something like that? Couldn't tell you! But probably not really historical, with that kind of "openwork" on the blade.

Congrats!

Matthew

Actually it looks like a pretty nice replica of a late 16th century/early 17th century parrying dagger. The 27cm long blade is quite average from this era, from what I've seen. Several historical daggers have these kind of holes and ornaments on the blade :

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6$ is a very friendly price, for sure.

There actually are historical daggers and even swords with that sort of decorative cutouts in the blade. It was a typical urban Renaissance thing, a flashy show of craftsmanship used as fashion statement and status symbol. You'll mostly find this in Italian and Spanish weapons, I think. If the blade is otherwise sturdy enough, that is, thick enough and of good steel with proper heat treatment, these little holes won't affect its structural integrity in any meaningful way, especially on a weapon as short as this.

This one looks remarkably good in photos, I must say!

How thick is the blade? Is the tang peened through the pommel, or is the pommel just screwed on? Is the grip really bound in alternating straight and braided wire like it seems to be, or is it made in one piece (possibly out of shiny plastic or pot metal)? Are the guard and pommel also steel? Is the scabbard wrapped in real or faux leather? Are the scabbard fittings steel or pot metal (or plastic)? If you tap the grip with a fingernail, does it sound hollow or solid?

...and so on. You get the point. There's no such thing as enough data! :p

I don't think this is from any of the usual popular producers of functional replicas. Could be from some less famous maker, a one-off custom (highly unlikely) or simply a cheap decorative piece (there are literally billions of those out there). The quality would be a lot easier to judge if I had it in hand, of course, and having a good idea of that would significantly narrow down where to look for the possible maker.

Mine is a stainless steel made-in-China repro. Very nice, and well done. I paid about $25 for mine, new in the box. Same dagger. ;) .........McM

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I added the tassel and painted the highlights gold. Looks great!

I will add that mine does NOT have the blade cut-outs. I like yours a lot better! Still, I believe they are of the same manufacturer. I could be TOTALLY wrong though. :) ......McM

Mine had no markings on the blade...only Made in China on the box. That's about all I can say about it. You did VERY WELL for $6. :) .........McM

Sean, that's the main reason I bought mine. The little thing is very nice feeling in hand, tight, well polished, and is fairly sharp. I was quite impressed with it just holding it in the store. In my opinion--very nice quality for the price. :) I bought a nice little leather frog for it from KOA, and carry it for Ren-fest wear. Makes a great left-hand dagger for my Hanwei side-sword. :D ....McM

Could it be A&A? Reminds me of them, I don't know why...

It is *vaguely* reminiscent of their #196 German parrying dagger. :) ......McM

Check this out:

http://www.swordnarmory.com/Renaissance-Main-...p/h-77.htm

Looks like Hanwei but I can't find it.

As mentioned earlier, pierced blades are seen on Renaissance-era rapiers and daggers.

Nathan, that's really close...but no cigar. Both of ours have the contour under the wire wrapped grip. The one you show has a more roundish or oval shape with no contour up and down. But....Reeeally close! :) Also, his fuller has the round holes along with the cut outs. :) Looks like we may have a copy of a copy of a copy! :lol: I'd like to see the original though. :D ....McM

I asked on reddit as well and someone responded with this

http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=SH1216

I definitely think this may be the original piece. but since it is out of production, what do you think the pricing nowadays would be? higher or lower than the original price?

Sean, I believe you may have a Hanwei....and mine is the cheapo. :lol: But, a Hanwei ought to have a mark on it somewhere...all of mine do. I'm legitimately puzzled now. :wtf: .....McM