Help requested for Old Dagger

[FredK1]

Hi - Happy New Year !!

I have this dagger in my collection for a number of years and cannot identify it. It is marked on the Blade "Fernando Esser". Any assistance you can provide for identification and years of manufacture would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Fred

[FredK1]

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[FredK1]

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[wolfeknives]

Esser was founded in Elberfeld Germany in 1857. They moved to Remscheid (Solingen) in the early 1920s. They went out of production in 1966. Their main production was machetes and bowie style blades for the South American market, some very ornate. This dagger is certainly in the South American style. It's difficult to judge the age, but my guess would be early 1900's.

[rbminis]

Wolfgang, could this be classified as a Goucho?

[wolfeknives]

Gaucho knives are usually single edged, a utilitarian design. The design features of this piece certainly make it similar to features seen in gauchos.

[juoneen]

I used to be green on the scabbard. Id say its a private purchase dagger. May be pre 1900...Possibly military related. Lots of this old stuff was reused in conflicts past its day of manufacture, used like fighting knives, and personal protection. Like the days when they carried sword canes. A little suprise when you need to press a point...Its a very well made blade. Must have once had a frog, now long gone. Et TU BRU----TE...

[FredK1]

Thank you for all your information. Any idea of its worth (I am not selling) ?

Regards,

Fred

[wolfeknives]

Fred, these daggers don't seem to get a great deal of collector interest. It would likely sell in the $100 to $200 range.

[FredK1]

Wolfgang, many thanks.

Regards,
Fred