DAGGER

A broken and incomplete possible medieval cast copper-alloy dagger guard (c. 15th century AD). It consists of a central hollow block with one long side and one short side effectively missing. This block has a large central aperture 12.1mm max. length, 4.6mm min. width. This aperture seem to widen, though without the side to measure against it is difficult to provide a maximum width.

From the extant short end a thick arm (?quillon) emerges which immediately begins to bifurcate. Each prong is circular in cross-section once separated, c. 7.5mm in diameter. The ends of each prong are worn, though flat and located at the same point; no old breaks are obvious. The split is indicated on the upper and lower surfaces by a deep groove.

The block is continuous with the arms on one surface and slightly raised compared to them on the other. On this latter this differential height is emphasised in a diagonal grooves that continue into the block on both sides. Behind is a further groove which creates a ridges towards the arm end. Towards the centre of the block a V-shaped groove is visible on the surviving longer side, possibly with a diagonal groove akin to that described for the other side of the block beginning before the break.

The object is slightly corroded and mid grey in colour with patches of light-green corrosion product all over. The form of this dagger guard is hard to parallel, and as such the identification remains tentative.