A sophisticated 17th century left-handed parrying dagger featuring elaborate gilded decorations with religious and heraldic symbolism. The double-edged blade bears inscriptions and a prominent fuller. The hilt assembly showcases finely detailed gilded scallop shell motifs - a signature element of the Order of Santiago - executed in high relief on the guard, quillon terminals, and pommel. The grip features tightly wound wire wrapping providing secure handling.
A matching pair of small bronze howitzers designed for lobbing small cannonballs or bombs. Each piece features a short barrel with centrally-mounted trunnions and a flared muzzle. The bronze surface shows historic patina. The pieces are designed with a chambered bore, similar to contemporary mortars but with trunnions positioned differently. Each piece represents a scaled-down version of larger field howitzers of the period.
A Spanish Colonial cup-hilt sword featuring distinctive characteristics of colonial manufacture, including a broader blade than European examples and modified hilt construction. The sword exhibits a well-balanced feel despite its heavier weight due to the iron cup construction. The hilt assembly features an ornate cup guard with detailed silver fretwork arranged in geometric patterns and floral motifs, complemented by straight quillons terminating in silver covered finials. The grip shows intricate silver nail work set against dark shagreen. Notable for its combination of imported blade technology with colonial craftsmanship, this piece represents a unique adaptation of European sword designs in the colonial context.
A luxuriously decorated blunderbuss featuring extensive silver and gold relief work throughout. The weapon exemplifies high-end civilian firearms of the mid-18th century, with elaborate decorative motifs combining military themes and ornamental designs. The piece demonstrates the sophisticated metalworking capabilities of the Saint-Étienne gunmaking industry during this period.
A well-crafted ceremonial two-handed sword (spadone a due mani) featuring elaborate heraldic decorations. The blade shows an aged patina consistent with its period, and the unsharpened ricasso section near the guard is characteristic of this sword type. The blade bears significant Milanese heraldic elements: the Visconti family's Biscione (a serpent appearing to swallow/birth a human figure) on one side and the Cross of St. Ambrose (Milan's coat of arms) on the other. The sword exhibits ceremonial rather than combat characteristics, with distinctive features including vestigially-placed flukes near the ricasso and a spiral wood grip. The overall construction suggests a formal guard weapon rather than a battlefield implement.
A ceremonial presentation sword from 1862 featuring a straight, bright-finished blade with a tapering profile typical of military presentation swords of the period. The blade has a bright polished finish and appears to be in good condition. When drawn from its scabbard, the sword displays a pleasing contrast between the bright steel blade and the ornate brass furniture.
This exquisite flintlock pistol features a rifled turn-off barrel with distinctive design elements. The cannon barrel has six grooves in two stages, separated by a molded girdle, with an expanded muzzle ring. The barrel terminates in a flattened top at breech with a leaf ornament. The pistol incorporates a dog safety mechanism that operates between half and full cock positions. The side plate displays pierced floral scrolls, and includes a blank escutcheon with pierced pendant swags. The design notably lacks a trigger guard.
This is a curved Indo-Persian sword exemplifying sophisticated craftsmanship through its koftigari decorative technique, which features silver or gilt inlay work on the hilt components. The blade displays intricate hunting scenes and animal attack motifs executed in detailed relief engraving. The sword combines the distinctive functional characteristics of a Talwar with luxury decorative elements. The koftigari technique is particularly evident in the silver gilt work on the pommel, grip, and guard sections. The blade is notable for its wider profile compared to related Middle Eastern sword types, and the overall execution demonstrates the high level of artistic and technical skill typical of premium Indo-Persian weapons.
This 17th-century field saber (Feldsäbel) exemplifies the military swords of Central Europe. The sword features a slightly curved single-edged blade decorated on both sides with the "Passauer Wolf" mark. The hilt assembly includes an iron knuckle-bow with an integrated thumb ring and a single shell guard embellished with a decorative copper alloy insert. The weapon's design balances protection with functionality, as evidenced by the comprehensive hand protection system combined with a relatively lightweight blade suitable for mounted combat.
A fine matchlock carbine from the late 16th or early 17th century, notable for its cavalry-oriented design. The barrel features a two-stage octagonal and round construction with a cannon turned muzzle. The breech is decorated with brass inlays and contains a maker's cartouche. A distinctive feature is the flash pan's position relative to the lock. The weapon represents a significant evolution from earlier hand cannons, incorporating improved design elements for better handling and operation.
French military officer's dagger featuring a cast bronze hilt depicting a period-dressed French officer figure. The officer figure is shown in detailed 16th-century military attire, leaning on a matchlock with left hand wrapped around the muzzle. The hilt exhibits high-relief classical motifs and ornate designs characteristic of high-status military weapons of the period. The figure's right hand rests on a leather carry system designed for powder and ammunition storage, including a frog-style holder with attached pouches for balls and patches, a large priming powder flask, and multiple small flasks for pre-measured charges. This sophisticated carrying system indicates the weapon was designed for military officers who needed ready access to both blade and firearm ammunition.
This excavated Left-Hand Spanish Parrying Dagger was found near Cape Canaveral Florida. The 4 1/2 inch hilt has a large scent-stopper shaped pommel, a cross-guard (quillon) with turned down finials and a ring guard (anneau). The 9 1/2 inch needle-point blade has two grooves (fullers) on each side or a hollow ground cross-section.
This archaeological specimen represents a classic Left-Hand Parrying Dagger featuring a long, slender blade with a diamond-shaped cross-section designed for both defense and counter-attacks. The dagger exhibits characteristic Spanish styling from the early 16th century with its ring guard (anneau) configuration. While showing signs of age from excavation, the dagger retains its essential structural elements though missing its original pommel plate and grip. The weapon was designed to be held in the left hand while wielding a rapier in the right, serving both as a defensive implement for parrying incoming attacks and as an offensive weapon for close-quarter combat.
A Spanish left-hand parrying dagger (main gauche) featuring a 13 3/4 inch needle-point blade with two distinctive grooves (fullers) on each side. The hilt assembly consists of a 5-inch long grip area with a large scent-stopper shaped pommel and a complex guard system comprising a curved cross-guard (quillon) and a side ring guard (anneau) enhanced with an openwork metal plate. This type of dagger was designed to be held in the left hand while sword fighting, used for both parrying incoming attacks and making opportunistic strikes.
A Spanish left-hand parrying dagger or short sword featuring a distinctive spear-point blade with three fullers (grooves) on each side. The weapon exemplifies the sophisticated fighting styles of 16th-century Spanish swordplay, where such daggers were used in the off-hand for parrying and defending while wielding a rapier in the main hand. Its design, with the characteristic ring guard and curved quillons, demonstrates the evolution of personal combat weapons during the Spanish colonial period. The grip is currently missing, indicating potential archaeological degradation.
This excavated left-hand parrying dagger exemplifies the sophisticated defensive weapons of Renaissance Spain. The weapon features a distinctive needle-point blade with diamond-shaped cross-section, engineered for precise parrying and counter-attacks. Notable features include a substantial plum-shaped pommel and specialized cross-guard (quillon) with turned-down finials integrated with a side ring guard (anneau), demonstrating the advanced metallurgical and defensive developments of the period. The grip is currently missing, indicating potential archaeological degradation.
This excavated left-hand parrying dagger represents a significant example of 16th century Spanish military technology. The weapon features a distinctive diamond cross-sectioned blade combined with defensive features including an S-shaped cross-guard (quillon) and side ring guard (anneau), characteristic of the parrying dagger type. The large flat oval pommel serves as a counterweight for precise control. Despite missing its grip, the dagger's configuration clearly shows its specialized purpose as a companion weapon for sword fighting, designed to catch and deflect opponent's blades.
A large Spanish folding knife (navaja) featuring a 7 1/2 inch steel blade that locks into place via an under-blade spring mechanism. The 8 3/4 inch handle is distinctively decorated with brass and bone panels, culminating in a characteristic series of round brass elements at the terminus that resemble a rattlesnake's tail, giving this style its traditional name "cola de crótalo" (tail rattle). The handle combines decorative brass work with bone inlays and features ornamental studs. The knife exemplifies the classic Spanish navaja form, balancing both practical function and cultural aesthetics in its design.
This is a classic example of a Spanish Navaja de Muelles (Spring Knife) from the late 18th century. The knife features a distinctive "cola de crotalo" (rattlesnake's tail) design, where the tip of the handle mimics a rattlesnake's tail. The blade and handle together create an elegant, curved profile characteristic of traditional Spanish navajas. In open position, the knife presents an imposing profile befitting its dual role as both a utility tool and personal defense weapon. The blade features a nicked area near its fold point, indicating extensive period use.
A long, narrow dagger with a 11 3/4 inch needle-point blade featuring a hollow ground cross-section. The blade is designed with a thin sharp point specifically engineered for thrusting, piercing, and stabbing, capable of penetrating gaps in armor and heavy fabrics. The crossguard features triangular-shaped quillons decorated with deep accent grooves. The pommel is also decorated with similar grooves. The grip is currently missing. This functional design exemplifies the dagger's primary purpose as a mercy-giving weapon for delivering final blows to seriously wounded adversaries.
Early 16th century (or possibly mid 15th century) needle-point dagger featuring a slender blade with shallow diamond cross-section. The piece exemplifies the needle-point style popular during the Renaissance period. The dagger's design emphasizes thrusting capability with its acute point and rigid blade construction. Despite missing its grip, the dagger retains its distinctive elements including the decorated crossguard and ornate pommel, demonstrating the blend of functional design and aesthetic detail.
This rondel dagger exemplifies the characteristic design with two round disks (rondels) forming the guard. The weapon features a long, narrow blade designed for thrusting, piercing, and stabbing, particularly effective at penetrating gaps in armor or through leather and heavy fabric. The needle-point blade has a distinctive diamond cross-section with hollow grounds, enhancing its penetrating capabilities. A notable decorative element includes an engraved nine-point star visible on the blade side of the guard, while the pommel features four petal-shaped segments adorned with engraved lines.
