EUROPEAN PLUG BAYONET, LATE 17TH-18TH CENTURY

16 3/8” length with 10” broad double edged blade struck with two maker’s or owner’s marks each side. Fine ivory grip with swelled base carved in flower petals over a beaded base Brass guard struck with a mark, probably for racking. Brass pommel. Excellent with old worn over blemishes to the grip in the area which received the gun muzzle. This was used in the great hunts reserved for the noble and royal classes which owned the game and controlled hunting. It would have been worn as a hunting knife then seated in the muzzle of a hunting long arm when confronting bear or especially, boar.