Description
A dagger of this type might be carried by a German "Landsknecht" or mercenary foot soldier (derived from "Knecht" meaning servant or farm hand) in the early 16th century. It served in the field both as a weapon and as a tool. The blade is inscribed on each side "I A N" between quatrefoils of punch marks; in addition, a maker's mark is impressed on the back.
The blackened iron sheath contains as well a smaller knife (the blade bearing the mark of three small crosses) and a skewer for use in camp.
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