[Jon Jay]

hello,
i am new to this forum and look forward to making many contributions. i need help identifying this dagger or dirk. it's 14.5"l and has a sectioned horn grip. the blade is etched with lion and lioness along with mythical sea creatures and scrolls and such. i am thinking anglo-indian british colonial? the quality of the workmanship and construction is very very fine. would like your thoughts. thank you!

[Craig Johnson]

Hi Jon

Welcome to the forums. I would tend more towards a 19th C Souther Europe favoring the Iberian region, or their colonial possessions if I had to guess. The style would seem to fit this area and time frame well. The workmanship does look nice but I do not see indications of India, though that is me and it is an area that is little studied and few resources for people to work from.

Best
Craig

[Allan Senefelder]

This does have a very strong Spanish punal feel to it as Craig mentioned. The punal, due to a fairly long period as a colony, was often copied and carried in the Philippines. I just obtained a late 19th century Philippino made punal with a similar blade shape, although much plainer. Many Philippino punals have brass hilt furniture due to its manufacture and commonality in the region, and the hilt of this one has a little different feel to it. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that due to certain details in the quillon and blade decoration that this is more likely Spanish made rather than Philippino. Likely 19th century. Just my 2c.

[Allan Senefelder]

Well this one ended up on ebay. Got the auction on my screen now. Best of luck to the seller.