Order of Santiago Left Handed Parrying Dagger

Object Name/Title

Order of Santiago Left Handed Parrying Dagger

Catalog Number

111-0162

Physical Description

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.

Dagger Type

Left-Hand Parrying Dagger (Main Gauche)

Maker/Workshop

Toledo workshop (marked with crowned 'O' and 'T')

Date of Creation

Early 17th century ?

Component Materials

Blade: Toledo steel
Guard: Gilded metal with shell motifs
Pommel: Gilded metal with shell design
Grip: Wrapped metal wire
Quillons: Gilded metal with shell finials
Scabbard: Leather with gilded shell decoration

Measurements

Overall length: 19 inches (with scabbard)
Blade length: 11 7/8 inches
Hilt length: 5 inches
Guard width: 5 5/8 inches
Weight: 15 5/8 oz

Edge Configuration

Double-edged blade with central fuller running most of its length. The fuller bears inscriptions 'SANTVAGO' on one face and 'IN TOLEDO' on the reverse. Maker's marks showing a crowned 'O' and 'T' appear on both sides of the blade.

Guard Type

Distinctive curved quillons terminating in gilded scallop shell finials. Main guard features a large gilded scallop shell in high relief. The quillons curve toward the blade which is characteristic of the period's parrying dagger design.

Pommel Details

Gilded scallop shell design executed in high relief, with a small spherical finial at the top. The pommel's shell motif matches the design theme of the guard and quillon terminals.

Tang Construction

Full tang construction with tight spiral wire wrap creating a secure grip. The wire wrapping shows careful spacing and tension, maintaining consistent coverage.

Scabbard Information

Leather scabbard decorated with matching gilded scallop shell motif, maintaining the religious and heraldic symbolism of the piece.

Object History

This dagger represents the intersection of practical combat functionality and religious symbolism in 17th century Spain. Associated with the Order of Santiago through its iconography, particularly the scallop shell motif which was a key symbol of St. James the Greater (Santiago). The dagger's quality and decorative elements suggest it may have been owned by a member of the Spanish nobility or the Order of Santiago itself. The blade's Toledo origin marks it as a product of one of the most prestigious blade-making centers in Europe.

Subject Terms

Spanish weapons; Left-hand daggers; Order of Santiago; Toledo blades; 17th century arms; Religious symbolism; Parrying weapons; Catholic military orders

Temporal and Spatial Coverage

Temporal: Early 17th Century; Spatial: Toledo, Spain

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

Left-Handed Parrying Daggers

The Order of Santiago:

Saint James the Greater or in Spain as Santiago Matamoros:

Rights Statement

© weaponscollector.com. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0). Attribution required: 'From the F.E. Williams III Collection at weaponscollector.com'