Description

Here on offer is a fine example of an ornate vintage South American Verijero type Gaucho Knife, with a handle and sheath made of 800 grade silver, circa 1930.These luxurious South American silver and sometimes gold embellished knives made their first appearances after the 1830/1840s, once the true local silversmith trade was established. In those early years, this type of costly knife was destined mainly for wealthy ranch and land owners, high ranking military or rich politicos and not for ordinary gauchos, who were usually very poor. However, the taste for flashy silver ornamented knives, horse headstalls and saddles quickly spread among gauchos and Indians, defining their most prized possessions and serving as symbols of power and rank. So, while both of these human types were usually very, very poor they tried by all means (including trade and robbery) to get some silver into their belongings.This knife has a single edged pointed 7' stainless steel blade, with a mirror finish. It is stamped on one side with the maker's trade mark, being a 'twisted hunting horn' and the word 'INOX'.It is in excellent condition, with just one small ding to the cutting edge, that is hard to photograph.'INOX' is a French term, being short for 'inoxydable', that indicates the blade is made from stainless steel. Stainless steel was invented in 1913 by Harry Brearley in Sheffield, UK.The cast silver handle has six flat sides with ornate floral pattern panels. It is finished with a slightly domed pommel and a round bolster. As it has a rounded shape bolster (known as bolster botón, meaning 'button'), this indicates it is a Uruguayan or Southern Brazilian produced knife, as those used in Argentine territories have distinctive square-shape sides.The sheath is also cast in 800 grade silver, decorated in relief with hunting dogs and winged lions on both sides and the tip finished with a serpent.The long elaborate frog button has the maker's name, 'A E & CO MARCA REGISTRADA' and the 'twisted hunting horn' maker's trade mark.This sheath also has the semicircular extension from the sheath mouth which covers and protects the blade's bolster while the knife is inside the sheath, a feature again usually associated with Brazilian and Uruguayan sheaths.The detailing on the sheath is excellent, but it has been dropped at some point in its live that has flattened the very tip of the serpent and slightly bent the tip of the sheath, causing a small split to the edge of the casing. There is also a slight shallow dent on both sides about 2' from the tip, again hard to photograph.The knife has a 7' (18cm) long blade and the whole knife is 11.5' (29.3cm) long.Inserted in its sheath, its total length is 12.5' (31.7cm) and it weighs 200g.Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Deliver Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.The responsibility lies with the customer to check with your Customs restrictions that this item can be imported into your country.

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