Swiss dagger

The characteristic mark of the Swiss dagger are two crescent-shaped, inward-bent metal bars delimiting the hilt.

The blade was characteristically double edged, tapering to a point and usually had a diamond shape cross-section.

One of the masterpieces of Hans Holbein the Younger is a 1521 design for a dance of death on the sheath of such a dagger (which was implemented on a number of surviving examples).

Schneider (1977) compiled a full index of all known originals and copies (including a considerable number of 19th-century imitations forgeries), for a total of 156 specimens.

Many copies of originals were made in the period of national Romanticism (19th century), using a casting method.