QUALITY**LARGE**19th Century Spanish Navaja Folding Fighting / Utility Lock Knife With Sharp Scimitar Form Blade, Tortoise / Turtle Shell Form Polished Horn & Mother Of Pearl Section Scales. Sn 21540 Knives

**QUALITY**LARGE**19th Century Spanish Navaja Folding Fighting / Utility Lock Knife With Sharp Scimitar Form Blade, Tortoise / Turtle Shell Form Polished Horn & Mother Of Pearl Section Scales. Sn 21540 - 21540

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. The etymology of the word navaja is derived from the Latin novacula, meaning razor, and the Andalusian knife known as the navaja is thought to have derived from the navaja de afeitar, or straight razor used for shaving. Like the straight razor, the navaja's blade folds into the handle when not in use. 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 quality made example has the form and characteristics of those made in the 19th Century and is large. The flamboyant razor sharp steel blade in scimitar form is 9 ½” in length and tapers to a pin sharp point. It has light staining consistent with age. The knife measures 20 ¼” overall length when open. The knife has Polished Horn & Mother of Pearl section scales secured by brass pins. 2 of the sections of polished horn have been polished until almost translucent and stained, giving the appearance of tortoise or turtle shell. The bolsters are German silver and the ball shaped lower bolsters has a small metal lanyard ring. The upper bolsters are recessed to accommodate the locking catch which operates as it should. The price for this impressive fighting / utility knife includes UK delivery. Sn 21540

£695.00