Large Saxon Dagger Circa 1580 Engraved Blade

This dagger is of an unusual size and design. It is of the Saxon type, and can be dated to the last quarter of the 16th century. It is massive and powerful, it is clearly a dagger made for fighting.
The main characteristics of Saxon daggers are a thick and solid blade, often with a strong ricasso, a small guard, a pommel that is often quite large, and they are frequently provided with grips covered of ray skin with iron ferrules.
BLADE : This is a solid and thick blade which is the original one and does not come from a recut sword blade. It begins with a thick ricasso of 4.3 cm, then takes a diamond-shaped section to the point. On each face, there is a central fuller on the first 19 cm of the blade. At the level of the ricasso, on one face, there is a large conical hole intended to place the thumb and a hole in the shape of an 8-pointed star. This type of thumb location is rarely encountered, it will transform during the 17th century to an oval hollow place having the same function. In the central fuller we find on each face:
At the level of the ricasso IXI IXI then then - - - - : - V - O - F - I - : - ж ж - : -
The two star marks after the inscription VOFI seem to be kinds of punchesmarks  (representing an eagle?)
The letters VOFI can be translated as "Victoria Omnipotens Fidei Iesum" that is to say "Victory of the All-Powerful Faith in Jesus" This motto fits well into the context of the time which saw numerous clashes of Christians against the Ottomans under the reign of Emperor Rudolph II
We also find in the middle of the blade two opposing crescent moons. This mark was used by different swordsmiths of Solingen, such as Clemens Stamm, for instance.
Blade length = 32.3cm, Width at the ricasso = 2.3cm, thickness at the ricasso, 7mm The weapon, although deliberately heavy by design, has excellent balance, since the balance point is at the ricasso, 2.5cm from the guard.
GUARD : It is a cross guard with two straight quillons that end in the shape of small volutes. There is a remnant of chiseled decoration with a foliage design.
POMMEL : It is in the shape of a rounded cone, the top of which is surmounted by a small button on which the tang of the blade is riveted.
GRIP : It is in the shape of a coil, covered with ray skin, separated into four quarters by iron bands that go from one ferrule to the other. The ferrules are made of iron and have a small chiseled decoration.
In conclusion: A nice and fairly unusual weapon that deserves to find a place of choice in a collection of daggers.
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REF: C-25/2-08