Help identifying old knife found in north miami beach near Spanish monastery?

[Chad1978]

Can someone please help identify age, type of bone inlay, and any other relevant info about this antique knife. It all looks hand forged. Was found by a digger near old Spanish Monastery in north Miami beach area. Many thanks for any info provided!

 

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[BosnMate]

Doesn't look like it's been in the ground very long, my guess is it's probably made in India or Pakistan.

 

[bigfoot1]

looks like mexican dagger/knife to me.
..............popular from 1800s to todays tourist trade

 

[bigfoot1]

hmmmm...is this yours?


yours..View attachment 1097452....wwII era souvineer....View attachment 1097453..pretty close.same maker?

 

[Chad1978]

is there anyway i can chekc to see what the handle is made out of - silver or simply aluminum or other metal?

 

[Chad1978]

is there anyway i can check to see what the handle is made out of - silver or simply aluminum or other metal?

 

[bigfoot1]

take to a jeweler.or get test kit on amazon etc.

 

[Chad1978]

can you send me the actual links to the 2 attachments you sent, the site wont allow me to open the links you sent

 

[bigfoot1]

..this is yours

..this is ww2 era

 

[ARC]

Its alum... no guess.

 

[villagenut]

Have you ruled out nickle silver? just a thought.

 

[coinbug]

looks like mexican dagger/knife to me.
View attachment 1097430....View attachment 1097431...View attachment 1097434..View attachment 1097443..View attachment 1097444...popular from 1800s to todays tourist trade

My cousin gave me a knife exactly like this about forty years ago. He said it was from Mexico. It had an inscription in Spanish on the blade, which he told me translated to, "I want to die young so I can be a handsome corpse."

 

[unclemac]

this one is mine...it says "F. Perez, made in Mexico" definitely not silver. Mexico has a long tradition of handmade tourist knives.

 

[villagenut]

Nickle silver is not actually containing any silver but is an alloy of other metals that make it appear silverish, but durable...often times used in knife making. Just clarifying the silver vs. nickle silver comments.

 

[BosnMate]

Nickle silver is not actually containing any silver but is an alloy of other metals that make it appear silverish, but durable...often times used in knife making. Just clarifying the silver vs. nickle silver comments.

It's also very hard, and I don't think it melts and pours like aluminum. When I was in high school we sand cast aluminum handles for BBQ forks, easy to work with. I've worked with nickle silver a bit, and it sucks.

 

[austin]

It's a Mexican souvenir knife. Basic style that still is available on the border. About 50 years ago I paid(or rather dad did) $5 for one in Nuevo Laredo. I later bought a similar one for $3 (smaller). Still have the small one...

 

[bigfoot1]

oh btw chad..on behalf of all who helped you....your welcome..

 

[Chad1978]

Thank you to all who repsonded to my question !

...it is much appreciated. I certainly hope to have better quality items to post next time. Have a great New Year's to all!