Rothenburg Kidney Dagger with Scabbard, 15th Century.

Delight in the Rothenburg Kidney Dagger with Sheath, 15th Century.

Rothenburg kidney dagger with leather sheath, late 15th century

The kidney dagger ( kidney dagger ) or testicle dagger (English bollock dagger / ballock dagger ) owes its rather strange name to the two distinctive balls – or egg-shaped thickenings or protuberances – that form the hand guard and give the handle a distinctly phallic appearance. This particular type of medieval dagger spread throughout Europe and appeared in countless variations throughout its unusually long life, which stretched from the late Middle Ages (14th century) to the Renaissance. In the British Isles it existed in modified forms ( dudgeon dagger in England and dirk in Scotland) even into the 17th and 18th centuries. century onwards.

This stabbing weapon, typically used as a handheld weapon in addition to the sword or rapier, was very popular among knights because its tapered blade with a sharp point was ideal for piercing padded armor and chain mail in close combat or for piercing gaps in the plate armor of knights to stab an opponent. It was not only a deadly instrument but also served as an elegant display of the wielder's wealth, and wealthy knights and citizens often carried their artistically crafted and richly decorated daggers with them as a status symbol.

The beautiful and elegant medieval dagger we offer here is based on an original piece from Northern Italy from the late 15th century (approx. 1450-1480), which is now housed in the weapons collection of the Baumann Foundation at the Rothenburg Museum in Rothenburg ob der Tauber (Bavaria, Middle Franconia).

The blade is made of EN45 spring steel, has a diamond-shaped cross-section, and tapers evenly to a sharp point. The cutting edges are unsharpened, and the tang is screwed into the end of the handle. The handle, with its characteristic two-lobed guard, is made from a single piece of wood and reinforced with antique-finished brass fittings. It runs upward and ends with a flat, elaborately decorated end cap. The equally magnificent guard plate has sword receivers curved downward at right angles with raised ends, which were intended to intercept and hold enemy swords in close combat.

The knight's dagger comes with a carefully stitched, vegetable-tanned leather sheath with a leather cord for belt attachment. The openwork motifs and details adorning the pommel can be found on the beautiful brass plate with a position button.

This late medieval dagger is designed as a collector's item or decorative object and is also ideal as an accessory, for example to complete your costume.

Details:

- Material: EN45 spring steel blade (carbon steel, not stainless), antique brass pommel and guard plate, wooden handle.
- Total length: approx. 39.5cm

- Blade length: approx. 25 cm

- Blade thickness: approx. 4 mm / 3 mm (cutting edges approx. 0.8 mm)

- Handle length: approx. 14.5 cm / 16 cm with decorative tips (handle section approx. 8 cm)

- Maximum blade width: approx.
- Center of gravity: approx. -4 cm (at the handle, directly behind the guard)

- Includes genuine leather sheath with antique brass bezel and leather cord

- Weight without cover: approx. 370g

- Weight with case: approx. 445 g

The above specifications may vary slightly from specimen to specimen.

The steel used here is not stainless and may show slight signs of corrosion. We recommend regular maintenance of the blade, for example with Ballistol, a universal oil ideal for preserving steel products.



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