19th Century Beauvoir (Thiers France) ‘Blacksmith’s Pliers’ Trademark Spanish Navaja / Corsican Vendetta Form Folding Fighting / Utility Knife With Razor Sharp Scimitar Blade, Decorated Polished Horn / Bone & Brass Section Scales. Sn 21595 Knives

19th Century Beauvoir (Thiers France) ‘Blacksmith’s Pliers’ Trademark Spanish Navaja / Corsican Vendetta Form Folding Fighting / Utility Knife With Razor Sharp Scimitar Blade, Decorated Polished Horn / Bone & Brass Section Scales. Sn 21595 - 21595

Vendetta knives were used by assassins and families in French Corsica involved in Vendettas that often led to bloodshed. The Navaja is a traditional Spanish folding-blade fighting and utility knife. One of the oldest folding knife patterns still in production, the first true Navajas originated in the Andalusian region of southern Spain. In Spain, the term navaja is often used to generally describe all folding-blade knives. In Spain the navaja epitomized the concept of a defensive knife to be carried at all times on the person. The design is thought to have been first adopted by the working classes - mule drivers, teamsters, artisans, and sailors as well as by the majos, the "gentlemen of the lower class" of Andalusia. Its association with barateros, pícaros, jácaros and rufos (gamblers, rogues, ruffians, and thugs) comes from its frequent use as a weapon of the underworld, where it was often used to enforce the collection of gambling debts or to rob innocent victims. This French made folding knife has the form and characteristics of both Spanish Navaja and Corsican Vendetta knives made in the 19th Century. The flamboyant razor sharp steel blade in Navaja scimitar form is 5 ½” in length and tapers to a pin sharp point. It has light staining consistent with age. The blade has the makers name ‘Beauvoir’ (a 19th century cutler based in Thiers France) together with his ‘Blacksmith’s Pliers’ Trademark. The knife measures 12” overall length when open. The blade has rubbing and staining consistent with age but no damage. The knife has Polished Horn, Bone & Brass Section Scales secured by pins. The lower sections of polished bone have naïve hand applied ink decoration as found on both French Corsican Vendettas and Navajas (illustrated, one side very faint) and one polished horn section is mounted with a small white metal shield with etched flower device. The top brass bolster sections have scalloped decoration. The elongated ‘3 ball shape’ lower brass bolsters are fitted with a small brass lanyard ring which has a piece of old string tied to it. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 21595 (folding knives draw office)

£395.00