Measuring 15 1/4 inches overall, the dagger is fitted with a 10 1/2 inch spear point blade with a nearly flat cross section, 1 1/4 inches wide at the base and without makers marks. The crossguard is constructed from antique ivory and measures 4 3/4 inches wide, with the quillions sculpted in the form of serpents, and the pommel similarly constructed with leaf motif carving, and a deep green felt wrapped grip. The sheath is constructed from carved antique ivory with a green felt backing, the face bearing a deeply sculpted grotesque face, a crowned shield bearing three fleur-de-lis, and a bust of a bearded man wearing a laurel under a banner marked Franz II. The shield is a traditional symbol of France, today most directly connected to the Ile-de-France Region, and used as the overall French coat of arms from 1376-1589. During this time frame, one "Franz II" (or Francois II) served as King of France from 1559 to 1560 and King Consort of Scotland from 1558 to 1560; while he died too young for a solid beard, coinage during his reign was known to use the bust of his late father Henri II instead, who was depicted with a beard and a laurel. Provenance: The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection

Good. The blade is good, with signs of cleaning, file marks on the length and traces of pitting near the tip. The grip is worn and faded around the center, with strong color at the ends and especially deep green on the back of the scabbard. The antique ivory shows stains and splitting appropriate to age, with some minor edge chips and good detail in the carvings.