Rondel daggers take their name from the two round disks (rondels) that form their guard (1). This one was found in London`s Thames River, and purchased by Frederick Eugene Williams III (known as Jack Williams) while he was visiting England in 1995.. It dates from the mid-14th century. The overall length of the dagger is 12 1/2 inches. The 8 1/4-inch needle-point blade is diamond-shaped with hollow grounds. The guard and pommel are made of brass. An engraving of what looks like a nine-point star can just be made out on the blade side of the guard. The pommel has four petal-shaped segments engraved with lines. Long narrow daggers like this one are designed for thrusting, piercing, and stabbing. The thin, sharp point can fit through gaps in armor, and penetrate leather or heavy fabric.
Rondel daggers were worn suspended on the right side of the belt or slung from the front of it. There is some evidence to suggest that rondel daggers were popular with the emerging middle class in the mid-15th century. Merchants and tradesmen can be seen wearing them in a painting by Girat de Roussillon circa 1448 (2).
This dagger was unearthed near Tampa Bay in the early 1960s. The 7 7/8 inch needle-point blade has a shallow diamond cross-section. The crossguard has short down-turned quillons and is decorated with three deep accent grooves at its center. The pommel is round and decorated with grooves in an oblong curved pattern.
This dagger was unearthed near Tampa Bay in the early 1960s. The 11 3/4 inch needle-point blade has a hollow ground cross-section. The crossguard with its triangular-shaped quillons and the pommel are both decorated with deep accent grooves. Long narrow daggers like this one are designed for thrusting, piercing, and stabbing. The thin sharp point can fit through gaps in armor and penetrate leather or heavy fabric. This style of dagger was often used to deliver the death blow to a seriously wounded adversary, hence the name misericordia which is Latin for 'mercy'.
Navajas are traditional Spanish folding knives. They were popular with sailors of the Spanish Main who regularly carried them in their waistbands. Sixteen Navaja-style knives were recovered from the wrecks of the Nuestra Senora de Atocha and Santa Margarita. Both galleons sank in 1622. Though best known for fighting and personal defense, Navajas were used for everything from cutting lines, peeling fruit to shaving. They were even used to preform surgery. Over time a locking style blade with a backspring evolved. These knives were called Navaja de Muelles (Spring Knifes). A metal pull ring to release the lock was added in the late 18th century. The ring was eventually discarded in favor of a lever.
The Navaja shown is 17 inches long when open and weighs 10 ounces. The 7 7/8 inch steel blade is nicked near where it folds into the Stag Horn handle. A spring under the blade locks it into place when open and a metal pull ring releases the lock. This style of Navaja is sometimes called a "tail rattler" (cola de crotalo), because the tip of the handle resembles a rattlesnake's tail.
Navajas are traditional Spanish folding knives. The one shown below is 16 1/4 inches long when open and weighs almost 10 ounces. It has a 7 1/2 inch steel blade and a 8 3/4 inch handle decorated with bone and brass. A spring under the blade locks it into place when open. The blade is marked Valero Jun and Zaragoza. Valero Jun was an important Spanish knife maker in the city of Zaragoza. The style of the makers mark indicates the knife was made at the beginning of the 19th century. According to some sources Valero Jun imported fine Navaja style knives like this one from Thiers France and resold them with their mark. This style of Navaja is sometimes called a "tail rattler" (cola de crotalo), because the tip of the handle resembles a rattlesnake's tail.
This excavated Left-Hand Parrying Dagger was found at an undisclosed location on the west coast of Florida. The 4 inch hilt has a large flat oval pommel, an S-shaped cross-guard (quillon) and a side ring guard (anneau). The blade is 13 3/4 inches long and has a diamond shape cross section.
This excavated Left-Hand Parrying Dagger was found at an undisclosed location. The 5 1/2 inch hilt has a large plum shaped pommel, turned down finials on the cross-guard (quillon) and a side ring guard (anneau) fitted with an pierced metal plate. The 13 inch needle-point blade has diamond shaped cross section.
This excavated Left-Hand Parrying Dagger or Short Sword, was reportedly found near the Rio Grande river in New Mexico. It may date from exploration of the area by Coronado 1540-1542. The 5 3/8 inch hilt has a large scent-stopper shaped pommel, a curved cross-guard (quillon) and a ring guard (anneau) with a turned down finial. The 14 inch spear point blade has three grooves (fullers) on each side.
This excavated Left-Hand Spanish Parrying Dagger was reportedly found near the Rio Grande river in New Mexico. It may date from exploration of the area by Coronado 1540-1542. The 5 inch hilt has a large scent-stopper shaped pommel, a curved cross-guard (quillon) and a side ring guard (anneau) fitted with an openwork metal plate. The previous owner stabilized the side ring plate using solder. The 13 3/4 inch needle-point blade has two grooves (fullers) on each side.
This excavated Left-Hand Parrying Dagger was found at an undisclosed location. The 5 1/2 inch hilt has turned down finials on the cross-guard (quillon) and a side ring guard (anneau) fitted with an openwork metal plate the pommel is missing. The 14 3/4 inch spear point blade has a diamond shaped cross section.
