Knife pommel or pistol butt cap from colonial site

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Found this on a site that has given up almost entirely colonial stuff. Someone mentioned hunting pommel as it does appear to have a scene of dogs chasing a deer on it. There is a little bit of silver wash left on it as well. Would this have been part of a knife, sword or gun/pistol
 

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it sort of looks like part of a "shell guard" from a rapier, i can't say for sure it is, but that's one option to look into
 

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it sort of looks like part of a "shell guard" from a rapier, i can't say for sure it is, but that's one option to look into

Ken is right on. Mid-18th C European hunting sword.

hunting sword.webp
 

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Thanks. I saw those when I was searching hunting swords and thought it could be a match. You dont see those come out of the ground much
 

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Don't all those swords have a screw hole in the pommel though?
 

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The little piece that is sticking out looks to have had a matching one with it that broke away, maybe it was a hinged piece, so maybe a small lid of some type like one that would be on a pipe (smoking type)
 

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The little piece that is sticking out looks to have had a matching one with it that broke away, maybe it was a hinged piece, so maybe a small lid of some type like one that would be on a pipe (smoking type)

There are a lot of different variations of these type guards, it probably is half of a double sided one, which could mean the other part is near where it was found....

rapier.webp
 

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There are a lot of different variations of these type guards, it probably is half of a double sided one, which could mean the other part is near where it was found....

View attachment 1427817
I just emailed someone who sells period and makes reproduction 18th century swords and they
said it sure looks like a shell guard from a mid 18th hunting sword
Old Dominion Forge Swords
 

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That link shows a real good picture of what the others are saying.I see what everyone else see's now.
 

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german sword.webp

This sword isn't exactly like yours, but it has the same motif of hounds attacking a stag.


It was sold at auction in 2006 for $267. Listed as an 18th Century German Stag hunting sword.


26 inches long with tortise and mother-of-pearl inlays. Pretty fancy for a hunting knife...
 

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