This dagger is a reduced scale example of a Saxon left hand dagger of the late 16th century. It is of a type which was evidently the most popular of the period with numerous examples surviving including one from the Peterson collection illustrated as #46 in Daggers and Fighting Knives of the Western World. This example is of the period, produced by the same maker to a one half scale, otherwise identical for form, materials and workmanship. While its purpose is not known with certainty, it very likely was produced as a maker's sample for shipment to a potential client. As entire guard units were outfitted with identical weapons, such an effort was justified. Similarly, the aggressive marketing effort of the maker would account for the wide spread popularity of these daggers. In our experience, we have encountered just one other half scale sample dagger, that being of a different pattern. 4 3/4" length blade, 7 3/8" overall.