Fragment (Dirk or dagger blade)

Description

This narrow, thin iron blade fragment appears to be from a small thrusting weapon like a dagger or dirk with two sharpened edges and a fine point. The top of the fragment has been reshaped into a short flat tang with three triangular steps on opposite sides. The tip of the point is bent and above it is a horizontal fracture in the blade. This fragment was unearthed by an amateur archaeologist in Virginia and it has been catalogued as an arrowhead or trade point due to the cut and barbed tang. This technique characterizes some nineteenth century Native American arrowheads and needs more research.