Antique Spanish Colonial / Mexican / Southwest Left Handed Dagger Fighting Knife

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Antique Spanish Colonial / Mexican / Southwest Left Handed Dagger Fighting Knife:
$495.00

Antique Left Handed Dagger Antique Spanish Colonial / Mexican / Southwest Left Handed Dagger Fighting Knife

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An excellent and seldom encountered Mexican, Spanish Colonial Left Hand Dagger (Main-Gauche), fighting knifeof the late 18th - early 19th century.
The left hand dagger was developed in Europe during the fifteenth century to be used in hand to hand combat in combination with the rapier sword. The objective in fighting with both dagger and rapier was to engage an enemy\'s blade with one weapon while stabbing them to death with the other. Dueling / martial combat in this manner required considerable skill when one\'s opponent was armed in a similar fashion. This manner of combat remained popular until the \'Small Sword\' became the gentleman\'s weapon of choice around the middle of the 18th century.
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The Spanish, at home and in their colonies, tended to be quite conservative in their choice of weapons. This is exemplified by the \'Bilbao\' Spanish cut & thrust sword developed at the beginning of the 18th century which waswidely used well into the 19th century. Thus the Spanish left hand dagger endured in Spain\'s colonies before and after they had gained independence.
This Mexican / Southwest dagger is of classic very well proportioned \'Main -Gauche\' form and handles well in the left hand, and also handles well as a right hand fighting knife. The substiantiasl 15 1/2\" blade is of triangle cross section in the manner of 18th century bayonets. We have seen an article in a British arms collecting publication stating the British sold quantities of military bayonets to New World traders when they were superceeded by new models. These were made into knives and became a popular \'Trade\' item. This dagger\'s iron cross guard and knuckle guard are formed in traditional Spanish Colonial style with the front attachment of the knuckle guard achieved by having its forward end pass through a slot in the cross guard then folded up against the inner side of the knuckle guard. The rear end was riveted to the blade tang thus holding the carved horn grip in place. The rear section of the blade and ends of the cross guard bear simple incised line decoration common on Southwest / Mexican ironwork.
Condition: This fine piece has survived in excellent original as-found condition. The blade is excellent with natural steel patina, the carved horn grip is excellent with great patina, and the iron guard and hilt are excellent with untouched patina.
A rarely seen handsome and fine quality early Southwest / Spanish Colonial artifact for the knowledgeable collector of Southwest / Mexican antiques.
Dimensions: overall length 19 3/4\", blade 15 1/2\" x 1 3/16\" x 1/4\"
Shipping Note: this item ships only within the USA.