Swiss Dagger with Sheath, Bodkin, and By-Knife

Unknown

ca. 1570 · Steel, gold, bronze, wood, textile · Arms and Armor

Daggers with I-shaped grips were known as baselards, after the city of Basel, and were considered a national arm of the Swiss. Splendidly decorated specimens such as this one, with elaborate gilt bronze mounts and scabbards, were worn by officers and wealthy burghers, who usually also held high-ranking positions in the militia. The figural decoration on the scabbard represents the story of William Tell, the Swiss national hero.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1570

Medium

Steel, gold, bronze, wood, textile

Culture

Swiss

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1904