2,000 year old Roman dagger found in Germany

Wow! Too cool - thanks for the link!

When I saw it I was thinking it looked like a chicken-tender - then the story said the same thing lol - I am happy to see that some people want to preserve history and have the talent to do so.

best

mqqn
 
easy enough to link the pic - I really like the leaf shape

EDIT: I just found the higher rez pic - this is amazing detail - I'm actually blown away
iME9PNBr8wYvXSsbDDVB2e-1358-80.jpg
 
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I assume the tang would have been wrapped in leather, or something similar? In which case I wonder what purpose the bump in the middle serves.
 
oh yeah, and if that really is the original sheath & actual design, from 2k years ago, I'm convinced it was a very senior commander of a roman legion - that is no way some kind of regular infrantryman dagger
 
Currawong said:
I assume the tang would have been wrapped in leather, or something similar? In which case I wonder what purpose the bump in the middle serves.
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extra grip - 2 fingers forward and 2 back - even if the leather is wet and squishy, it works quite well when executed ergonomically ... this thing is great
 
It's certainly very stabby. The leaf shape would mean it would cut the wound wider on the way in and the way out.
 
Looks to be red coral inlays. That was commonly used for decoration back then and I think would signal a higer ranking member.
You wonder how many times it was stuck into flesh.
 
Most references state these daggers where not issued to legionnaires. They bought them on their own and used them as a way to display their personal wealth. The gold, silver (belt included) and jewels were also something they could sell if needed when times got hard. They always do for line soldiers. So no, I don't think this necessarily a ranking officers dagger.
 
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SW-EDC said:
If I had to guess, electrolysis followed by painstakingly hand fine etch work.
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Watching a PBS special on restoration of a Viking period sword, it was almost all extra fine etch work using many different bits and hard and soft brushes to remove embedded rust, etc. They used detergents as neutral as they could get them to avoid discoloring the metal, used no acids or electrolytic processes that might change the patina. If the rust was too deep and they thought they might harm the blade, they neutralized the rust and sealed it, leaving that area a black color, not unlike the finished Roman dagger.

It was a real labor of love, and on the one sword they spent something like 24 months using a team of several people. You could see the pride and joy in their eyes; it was a true labor of patience and love for their art. I could never do that kind of work, and it really makes me appreciate those that do.

Robert
 
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