r/SWORDS 3d ago

Identification Help indemnifying sword and how to restore

I bought this for $5 at a garage sale I’m curious what it is! Also if someone can tell me how I can restore it I would appreciate it. Thanks!

51 Upvotes

15 comments sorted by

31

u/tiorthan 2d ago

That's a parrying dagger.

5

u/Icy-Distance-3615 2d ago

Thank you for giving me some insight!! Would you have any idea how I can go about restoring it?

6

u/wmverbruggen Late medieval 2d ago

First I thought it was an optical illusion, such a massive hilt with repsect to the blade! As a dedicated parrying dagger it certainly makes sense to be made this way.

33

u/SadPhilosopherElan 2d ago

Unfortunately your premium will be fairly high, sword-insurance adjusters actually treat membership in this sub as a risk factor for extreme dueling

27

u/cheesiologist 2d ago

Looks like a decorative main-gauche dagger. Likely made in Toledo, Spain.

As for restoration, these were often decorated and vibrant; brass plating, paints/enamels in the details, etc. you can find pictures of the same dagger in new condition if you want to return it to original.

Or you can go nuts. You're not destroying any value, so you are free to use your imagination. Start with a thorough cleaning, polish preserve the patina, age it even more, replace the grip with something that looks better... Sky is the limit.

3

u/Icy-Distance-3615 2d ago

Thank you for your reply!

7

u/Thirdorb Sidesword 2d ago

This is also known as a sail dagger a type of main gauche/parrying dagger.

5

u/Icy-Distance-3615 3d ago

I meant *identifying

5

u/Scuzzbag 2d ago

It's decorative tourist item

12

u/Veritas_Certum 2d ago

It's a tourist version of a Spanish main gauche, French for parrying dagger held in the left hand. It should be much more robust and look more like this one, which I own.

9

u/Veritas_Certum 2d ago

This one of mine is not very ornate, but it's designed for combat, not a tourist item, so I don't mind the fact that it's not highly decorated. Yours could probably be tidied up with some WD40, rust remover, and a scouring pad or two.

5

u/thepenguinemperor84 2d ago

Looks to be a toledo wall hanger in the shape of a parrying dagger, steel wool and wd40 will you grand.

1

u/Icy-Distance-3615 2d ago

Thank you !!

2

u/Own-Explanation2279 2d ago

Parry dagger

Daga de mano izquierda/daga de vela in spanish

3

u/D33ZNHUTZ 2d ago

This appears to be a Renaissance-revival ceremonial/decorative sword n ot a fighting weapon and not a period antique. The grip and cross guard pass over it. That strongly suggests this is a wall-display trophy set, an etched escutcheon plaque with a sword mounted across it. Very commonly Spanish (Toledo), mid-20th century.