Another form of dagger widens out considerably at the base, so as to give the edges an ogival outline, and this form passes into what have been termed rapier-like blades. As is the case with the leaf-shaped blades, which will presently be described, some of these latter are so long that it is hard to say whether they ought to be classed as swords or as daggers.
The example engraved as Fig. 307 is from Scotland, and not England, the original being in the Antiquarian Museum at Edinburgh. It was found in 1828 upon the farm of Kilrie, near Kinghorn, Fifeshire. The blade, as is usually the case, shows a central ridge upon it, but is also ornamented with parallel lines engraved on either side, which is a feature of far less common occurrence.
A plain blade of the same character (7½ inches), but narrower in its proportions, was found at Bracklesham,[919] Sussex. It has as usual two rivets only.
I have another (7⅛ inches), showing four facets on the blade, from Soham Fen; the two rivet-holes cut through the margin of the base, as in Fig. 304.
I have seen others from the Cambridge Fens.
Another (13½ inches) with four rivets, and more nearly approaching the rapier form, was found in the Thames at Ditton,[920] Surrey, and was presented to the British Museum by the Earl of Lovelace. Another of the same character (7 inches) was found in the Thames near Maidenhead,[921] and another (8 inches) at Battersea.[922]
Fig. 305.—Magherafelt. ½ — Fig. 306.—Arreton Down. ½ — Fig. 307.—Kinghorn. ½
One (9¾ inches) with two rivets, and the base forming half a hexagon, was found at New Bilton,[923] near Rugby. I have another of nearly the same form (7¾ inches) from Waterbeach Fen, Cambridge.