Left-Hand Parrying Dagger

Object Name/Title

Left-Hand Parrying Dagger

Catalog Number

111-0067

Physical Description

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.

Dagger Type

Left-Hand Parrying Dagger (Main Gauche)

Maker/Workshop

Unknown craftsperson, Spanish

Date of Creation

Circa 1530

Component Materials

Blade: Steel
Guard: Steel with openwork plate
Previous repairs: Solder (used in ring plate stabilization)
Grip: Missing

Measurements

Overall length: 18 3/4 inches (47.6 cm)
Overall width: 8 1/4 inches (21 cm)
Hilt length: 5 inches (12.7 cm)
Blade length: 13 3/4 inches (34.9 cm)
Weight: 1 lb 4/4 oz (595 g)

Edge Configuration

Double-edged needle-point blade with fullers (two grooves on each side)

Guard Type

Complex guard system featuring curved quillons with ring guard (anneau) and openwork metal plate

Pommel Details

Large scent-stopper shaped pommel

Object History

This dagger was reportedly discovered during excavations near the Rio Grande river in New Mexico. Its presence in this location is potentially connected to the exploration of the area by Coronado during his 1540-1542 expedition. The artifact represents a significant example of Spanish military equipment from the early conquest period of the Americas.

Previous repair work evident in ring guard stabilization using solder

Acquisition Source

Archaeological find, Rio Grande region, New Mexico

Subject Terms

Spanish weapons; Left-hand daggers; Parrying daggers; Main gauche; Archaeological finds; Colonial Spanish America; Coronado expedition; 16th century arms

Temporal and Spatial Coverage

Temporal: Early 16th Century (circa 1530)
Spatial: Spain (manufacture), New Mexico (discovery site)

Related Collections

The F.E. Williams III Collection of Antique Weapons and Artifacts

Collection Attribution

Frederick Eugene Williams III (known as Jack Williams), Collector

References and Citations

The Journey of Coronado, 1540-1542 by Pedro de Castaneda de Nagera, Antonio de Mendoza, and Juan Camilo Jaramillo

Blades of the Conquistadors, The Jack Williams Collection, American Digger Magazine, Nov-Dec 2006

Rights Statement

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