Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 3).djvu/65

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constructed rondel daggers, which in our opinion date before 1450, we next illustrate (Figs. 778 and 779). The former, a long and solidly fashioned weapon with a modern grip, is in the British Museum; while, the latter, a small stiletto-like example with its grip and small rondels turned in ivory, was found some few years ago in the Horseferry Road, Westminster, and is now in the London Museum.

Fig. 780. Rondel dagger

Probably French, about 1450. Discovered in a peat fen in the north of France Wallace Collection (Laking Catalogue, No. 110) (a) The hilt; (b) general proportions

Fig. 781. Rondel dagger

English (?), about 1450-60 Found in the Thames Collection: Author

In tracing the evolution of the rondel dagger, we have endeavoured, however vaguely, to bridge over the first fifty years of the XVth century, and to show from the evidence of contemporary illustrations that it had arrived at its final robust proportions in about 1450. Its peculiarities of form distinguished it from other types of this period when it was in common use throughout civilized Europe. In mid-XVth century times the hilts