Hi Pam,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

This is a double-edged push dagger, which is a fairly ubiquitous form made all around the world. If this had been made in large quantities, it would have had makers marks, so - because it lacks any maker's marks - leads me to conclude it was probably made in small quantities by a blacksmith or other metalworker who didn't see a need to mark it. Based on its style, this appears to have been made anytime from the late 19th Century to the middle of the 20th Century.

The shaping of the wooden handle indicates it was meant to be held and not used as a bayonet, ie an attachment to a gun barrel.

When comparable knives have been auctioned in recent years, they typically sell for between $150-250.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

An antique steel, brass and wood double-edged straight push dagger
American or European, late 19th to early 20th Century
With straight tapered double-edged blade, square ricasso and shaped hand-guard, the wooden blade with brass ends at top and bottom. Unmarked.
12 inches overall length
CONDITION: This dagger has some oxidation, rusting and pitting to the blade and some losses to the wooden handle.
PROVENANCE: Inherited; previously unearthed from an oil field in Colorado.
$ 150-250*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia