The ballock dagger was widely carried in the Gothic period. It is a thrusting weapon capable of penetrating the leather doublets worn for protection at the time. Its name is derived from the double spheres at the grip base, which represent male genitalia. (Typically, the Victorians renamed the form kidney dagger.) The image was further punctuated by wearing the dagger centered at the front of the belt. This example represents the type in its finest form and is of exceptional quality. The blade is pentagonal at the forte and sheathed in brass engraved with four hatched panels and a fifth containing the initials W K. An identical dagger with the identical inscription was in the Samuel Rush Meyrick Collection. Gothic daggers in other than excavated conditions are exceedingly rare. This example combines excellent preservation including its original wood grip with outstanding form and quality for its group. 11 1/4" length blade.