RARE SWISS DAGGER (BASILARD) WITH ORIGINAL WOODEN GRIP CIRCA 1400: for Sale

On eBay Now...

RARE SWISS DAGGER (BASILARD) WITH ORIGINAL WOODEN GRIP CIRCA 1400: For Sale

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

RARE SWISS DAGGER (BASILARD) WITH ORIGINAL WOODEN GRIP CIRCA 1400::
$1800.00

RARE SWISS DAGGER (BASILARD) WITH WOODEN GRIP CIRCA 1400:This dagger is an excellent accompaniment to a basilard sword I also have on offer.

There is no man worth a leke, Be he sturdy, be he meke, But he bear a basilard….. Anonymous satirical song during the period of Henry V
Description:Constructed with a broad, stout tapering blade of flattened-diamond section formed with a short pair of fullers on each face, highly sought-after iron T-shaped pommel with an integral guard en suite, with a pair of wooden grips, almostcertainly the original pair, retained by nine hollow copper alloy rivets, in good condition for a ground find.Length:approximately 13.5 inches.

Provenance:By tradition found in lower Bavaria.

Discussion:Basilard is a French or Latin term identifying a dagger with a hilt shaped like a capital I (or, in our example, a capital T) developed during the 1300s. Basilards can be found in contemporary literature, books, poems, paintings, effigies, brasses, and other period representations. After circa 1350, the basilard became a favorite of civilians and peasants in England.The basilard was probably the most used dagger circa 1350 in Western and Central Europe.

The basilard was believed to have originated in South Germany or North Italy in the late 1200s; this appears in many older publications. However, a discovery at the Datini archives in Prato, Italy, dated 1375 by Claude Blair of the Victorian and Albert Museum, indicates the dagger’s origin is Basel, Switzerland, hence the name Basilard. Basilards varied in length from 12-inch daggers to swords over 36 inches. The masses used the basilard, from peasants to the knightly class.

The basilard was part of mainstream Medieval Europe. A few basilards have survived that were made for the megawealthy. Basilard sheaths are rare. Their sheaths consisted of a metal throat, chape, and middle band. Because leather is organic, few leather sheaths have survived.

The sheath was worn in various ways:

1) On the right side hanging from the belt, sword belt, or sword hanger.

2) Hanging in the front from the sword belt.

3) Seldom carried on the lower back. The basilard finally evolved into the Swiss (Holbein) dagger in the late 1490s. Some refer to the original variant as the Swiss basilard (see page 320 in my book).

Conclusion:A very rare and highly sought-after typology of dagger. A great addition to any museum or private collection. Very reasonably priced at under $2K for a quick sale. ACT-NOW, this one should sell quickly.!!
YOU ARE BUYING WITH COMPLETE CONFIDENCE:All my items come with a 14 day review period.