Left Hand Dagger, Late 16th Century, Southern Italy

This left hand ring dagger can be dated to the first half of the 17th century, or the last quarter of the 16th century. it is probably  from South Italia, altough a spanish origin is also possible.
BLADE: After a ricasso of 2.5 cm, it takes a diamond shape up to the tip. Note at the level of the ricasso the presence of a hallmark. This mark is known, it is cited in the catalog of the "Real Armeria de Madrid". Sword no. G.46, dated from the first half of the 16th century, bears an absolutely identical mark. And the blade of a pontifical sword given by Paul V in 1618 also bears almost the same mark.
Length of the blade = 19.6 cm, width at the ricasso = 1cm, thickness at the ricasso = 8 mm
GUARD: It is a ring guard, the large quillons of which are slightly curved towards the blade. The quillons end, after an 8-faceted part, with a small flattened button.
POMMEL: It is conical in shape, topped with a small button on which the tang of the blade is riveted.
GRIP :  it is made of dark wood, striated longitudinally and is decorated with square brass nails alternating with barely visible bone pellets and numerous brass nails. This type of decoration is often seen on italian weapons dating from the 16Th- and 17th centuries.
The shape of the grip  which is called "turnip"  allows, through its widening, excellent handling in a minimum space requirement. This is typically the type ofdagger wich was worn in "italian fashion", which means hidden behind the back of the owner
Ref BX-2446