Featured I have never seen a dagger/knife like this. Any opinions?

It seems to have a compartment for something. The handle resembles a coffin. It looks Victorian to me or older. Heus Mortem in Latin engraved. Please give me your thoughts. Thank you

 

The search engine keeps telling me 'heus' should be 'deus'. If that is the case, Deus Mortem translates to "the god of death".

Otherwise trying to translate heus, I get the word 'whoa' in Spanish. Or, on one Latin translating site, it said "Hey death", LOL.

I will guess the compartment is for gunpowder.

 

It has grips for pallbearers, too!

 

indeed, called a coffin handle dagger.....

I'd guess at a late 1800's circa.... because of the blade...
and the somewhat fantasy treatment of the grip , which likely was not the way it was manufactured..

 

Wow,interesting! Did you buy this recently? (FedEx) Or where and when did you get it? (If I may ask)

 

It is very interesting. Yes I just got it today. I bought it online in a auction. I saw the hinges in the picture and was curious. I have never seen one like this. There is no maker marks so I'm clueless. I do believe the engraving is Latin. I think its just a interesting find.

 

Agreed. Certainly a interesting find/buy...And must be highly collectable and scarce (I would think) With the engraving referring to death it certainly makes a solemn and strong statement. What was the auction description?

 

Two knives, two candle sticks and a tray. It also came with a knife that has a copper handle and sheath. I also know nothing about it but It's not nearly as interesting

 

Maybe held a refreshing mint... for after you've eaten your enemy's heart.

 

Ha ha (good one).. Or a cigarillo for that “ After action.. satisfaction’

 

that handle and sheath are unknown to me....but interesting also..

 

You release the bees from that compartment! I’d say that second one is pretty interesting too.

 

Yea it is pretty interesting. That shield on the scabbord and blade type resembles Solingen. It just looks a lot like a tourist frankindagger.

 

Oops! wrong thread.

 

I have only just seen this thread............

Unsurprisingly, called a 'coffin handled' knife. I believe the style originated with Bowie knives.
As Komokwa has said, this handle appears to have been added by a previous owner, though seemingly some time ago. Perhaps, the owner added a corpse in the coffin?
I have certainly never seen one quite like this!