Antique 18th Century Left Hand Parying Dagger Main Gauche Sword Breaker 1717

Description

This is a very large left hand dagger, sword breaker. The pierced sail hand guard is of heavy sheet steel with edges folded for reinforcement, and attached bellow the pommel. Ball pommel with deep spiral groves to match the carved wood grip. Twisted square cross guard with incised finials & deep cut line decorations. A third quillon of heavy, pierced plate steel curls down from the reverse side venter of the cross guard.  Sail guard, cross guard & 3rd quillon all welded together almost seamlessly. Broad, heavy blade is flat edged at the ricaso. Long barbed spikes split off from either side, leaving the blade narrower, but still as thick. Double edges begin as the barbs end, and the fuller begins. The flats of the blade are  engraved with floral patterns & a sunburst with some gold inlay remaining. The reverse side has the German running wolf mark, and the date 1717 in the fuller. All parts are good and tight.
27 1/2" long. Blade 21" long X 1 9/16" wide, 1 1/8" wide at edges. Cross guard 9 1/4". 2 Lbs. 11 oz.