DAGGER

A complete cast copper alloy dagger guard (quillon) of Medieval date (c. AD 1200 - c. AD 1400). Length 63.0mm, overall width 41.0mm and thickness of central block, 11.6mm. Weight 57.46g. The central block is roughly oval in plan and rectangular in cross-section and has a length of about 19.0mm, a width 15.0mm and a thickness of 11.6mm. At the centre of the block, is trapezoidal-shaped hole which has a length of 13.5mm, a maximum width of 5.4mm and a minimum width of 4.2mm. Around the hole, on one face, there are a number of crude punch marks. However, these do not appear to be decorative. The two arms are of equal length and the overall length of these is 63.0mm. Each arm is roughly square in cross-section, having four slightly convex faces. The arms taper in width from the central block and then expand to form "buffer" terminals which are sub-circular in shape when viewed from each end. On each face of the "buffer" there is a decorative incised groove. The finger stop projects outwards at a right angle to one side of the central block. It flares in width to form a pelta shape and has rounded edges. Neither of its faces is decorated. Overall, the artefact has lost its patina but where it does survive it is a mid green colour. Where visible the surface colour of the metal is a dull reddish colour. This dagger guard is quite similar to one recorded from Alfriston Parish, East Sussex. See Portable Antiquities Scheme find: SUSS-9322F7. Published examples of quillon-daggers are illustrated in Ward Perkins J. B. 1940. "London Museum Medieval Catalogue". 39-42, plates VI-VII. Ward Perkins states that these artefacts are military daggers with the earliest examples surviving from the 13th century. There are "frequent representations in the Maciejowski Bible, c. 1250, passim, depicting a short, sword-shaped weapon, with quillons drooping slightly toward the point, and a lobed or circular pommel". This type of military dagger was common until the close of the fourteenth century when they were ousted in popularity by the rondel dagger. However, Ward Perkins notes that "they by no means went out of use at this time and representations of them occur at all periods".