Windlass – Peloponnesian Bronze Greek Dagger

In 431 BC, Sparta, a city on the Greek peninsula of Peloponnese, declared war on Athens and its growing power. Sparta and the Peloponnesian League encircled Athens and destroyed its food supply. Athens brought its population inside the city walls, creating a disastrous situation that resulted in a plaque wiping out a third of its people and army, including General Pericles and his sons. Sparta became a leading power in Greece. This dagger is copied from an original in our possession (which is pictured above) that dates from the 9th -7th century BC-older than the Peloponnesian War but a design that was still in vogue at the time.

This Greek dagger is based on an original and its blade is bronze with a full tang like its historical example. The original likely had wood scales (which would have rotted). Windlass has instead used bone because of how attractive the material and color contrasts with bronze. The handle is very slim, but surprisingly durable due to its full tang construction and the grip is scalloped to aid grip during a thrust. The crescent-shaped pommel is an integral part of the tang and is flush with the scales. Windlass designed the sheath to be worthy of nobility (the original dagger doesn’t have one), with a highly embellished bronze throat and tip and three square medallions. The scabbard has a wood core and is covered with leather. A bronze ring is attached for lashing the sheath to a belt. A truly unique weapon suitable for any historical collection!

Please Note: We can sharpen the blade, but please be aware that the edge of the blade will be bright and lighter in color than the rest of the blade. Also, even though it is sharpened it is bronze and will not stay sharp for as long as a steel dagger would and may dull quickly.