GERMAN HUNTING KNIFE C.1690

4 ¾” clipped point blade with crisp maker’s mark to the left side. Brass bolster, heel encasement, and inlay to the blade back. Antler scale grips with three floral rosettes each side. The tang sheathed in brass engraved in foliate motifs each side. The top and bottom with hound’s tooth edges. Excellent throughout. Both sides of the blade with a little-wrought iron lamination. This knife was part of a hunting trousse carried by the attendants of a noble hunting party. It would have included a cleaver (wadiprax), fork, additional knife and perhaps bone saw, all mounted ensuite. At the time, virtually all the land was owned by a few royal owners. The game, as well, was theirs and only they and their guests were permitted to hunt.