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DAY 1: Historic Arms & Armor: Revolutionary America

Sat, Jul 18, 2026 11:00AM EDT

2026-07-18 11:00:00 2026-07-18 11:00:00 America/New_York Treasure Trove Treasure Trove : DAY 1: Historic Arms & Armor: Revolutionary America https://live.treasuretroveauctions.com/auctions/treasure-trove/day-1-historic-arms-armor-revolutionary-america-23506 Treasure Trove Auctions proudly presents Day 1 of our premier militaria event, featuring an extraordinary selection of historic American arms and relics, including some of the finest documented Revolutionary War material we have encountered, significant Civil War artifacts, American Indian pieces, and frontier-era history. Complementing this remarkable offering is our signature selection of medieval, Renaissance, and antique arms & armor, creating a truly exceptional sale spanning centuries of warfare. Now is your chance to acquire tangible history from all eras of military history! Treasure Trove Auctions info@treasuretroveauctions.com

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Lot 414

Massive 16th C. Saxon Germanic Trousse Hunting Knife with Engraved Blade & Stag Grip

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$250

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Price	Bid Increment
$0	$25
$100	$50
$500	$50
$1,000	$100
$2,000	$250
$5,000	$500
$10,000	$1,000
$20,000	$2,500
$50,000	$5,000

This extraordinary 16th century Saxon Germanic trousse hunting knife, or Waidpraxe, is a massive and visually commanding noble hunting sidearm of the type once carried as part of an elite hunting trousse set. Measuring approximately 19 1/2 inches overall with a substantial 14 inch blade, the knife features crude but powerful early construction, thick cross quillons, a rounded languet, stag grip panels, and an exceptionally evocative engraved blade. Both sides of the blade are decorated with hunting scenes, including what appears to be a hunter armed with a wheellock rifle, making the piece especially compelling from both a weapon and sporting history standpoint. The blade carries a gray to chocolate patina throughout, with age, oxidation, and surface wear consistent with a very early edged weapon of this type.

The inscriptions and decoration are the heart of this piece. One side of the blade bears an elaborate hunting scene accompanied by Low German text appearing to read "Es Leben die Schuzenun wei Higrnossen einhubs mad nicht aus ol schlafsen", loosely translated as "Long live the riflemen and their fellow confederates, let no one sleep!" The reverse side bears what appears to be the owner's name, "Ernestus Megackh", giving the knife a remarkable personal and historical identity. The rounded languet at the guard is also decorated with a nature scene, while the stag grip panels add further symbolic detail, including hearts and a serpent to the reverse. These engraved hunting motifs, personal inscription, owner name, stag grips, and bold Germanic construction combine to create a dagger with tremendous character and research potential.

Large noble hunting knives of this form were frequently part of a trousse hunting set, often accompanied by a smaller byknife used for skinning and a pricker or awl, all housed together in a fitted sheath. These were not ordinary utility knives, but high-status hunting weapons associated with noble sport, courtly hunting culture, and the practical rituals of the chase. In the 16th century, hunting was deeply tied to rank, privilege, and martial identity, and decorated knives such as this served both as functional tools and statements of status. Surviving examples are extremely rare and are most often encountered in major institutional collections, with some of the best related examples preserved in museum collections such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

This is a rare and deeply charismatic early Germanic hunting knife with enormous display appeal. The massive blade, engraved hunting scenes, apparent wheellock rifle figure, Low German inscription, named owner, thick quillons, decorated languet, stag grip panels, hearts, serpent motif, and untouched aged patina make it one of the most fascinating edged weapons in this auction. Offered here as a fair but highly important surviving example, it would make a standout acquisition for collectors of Renaissance arms, German hunting weapons, Saxon edged weapons, trousse sets, noble sporting arms, and early European militaria.

Dimensions: Approximately 14 inch blade, 19 1/2 inches overall.

Condition

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★ ★ ★
Good - Noticeable wear from age and use but remains structurally sound. Considered average condition for most collectibles and memorabilia. Minor imperfections or signs of handling may be present but do not detract from the overall integrity of the item.

Condition assessed using Treasure Trove Auctions’ proprietary grading scale. While we strive for accuracy, all ratings are subjective and based on our best evaluation as determined by a dedicated team of researchers, from expert appraisers to knowledgeable historians and veteran collectors. Full grading details can be found on our Authentication page for reference. For a more in-depth condition report or additional images, please contact us and we will be more than happy to oblige.

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If you have not contacted Treasure Trove Auctions 512-221-2540 to arrange payment within 3 days of the time that invoice is sent, we will charge the credit card you used to register for the auction for the amount of your invoice.

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DAY 1: Historic Arms & Armor: Revolutionary America

Massive 16th C. Saxon Germanic Trousse Hunting Knife with Engraved Blade & Stag Grip

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