Highly identifiable form with 6 1/2" diamond section, elongated leaf shaped blade. Iron cross guard and reeded bone grip with brass conical ferrules with wiggle work band decoration. Original velvet covered scabbard, the brass mounts with matching decoration. Good uniform ageing throughout with smooth wear to the scabbard fabric. All mounts excellent. Blade shows just smooth gray staining. The Pyrenees which form a natural barrier between Spain and France are home to the Basques who are passionately independent and known as fierce fighters. Such was their guerrilla resistance to the French during the Napoleonic occupation that messengers could not cross the mountains without full military escort. A typical attack would result in the foreigner having his throat cut and his dismembered body left on the road as a message to all others. This dagger evolved specifically among the Basques during that period. See Armes Blanches en Espana.