RARE SWISS GOTHIC PEASANTS KNIFE. C. 1350-1450

Well forged iron, 13‰۝ length with curved wedge section blade. Oval pommel and conical side lug. Complete but for the wood grips, now perished. These were made to circumvent the prohibition of peasants to carry weapons. The absence of a crossguard, which would have identified it as a weapon, is compensated for by the side lug, capable of blocking an opponents blade. It is further distinguished from a utility knife or tool by the fact that it has no hardened edge, nor has it been repeatedly sharpened as would be a service knife. This example is of particularly elegant form and in excellent excavated condition.