Spain. Antique Lantern Knife. Signed Alcázar Sarrión. Albacete, 1873

Spain. Antique Lantern Knife. Signed Alcázar Sarrión. Albacete, 1873 Important and rare antique Spanish knife known as a lantern knife, dated 1873 and signed with the mark Alcázar Sarrión, belonging to the renowned 19th-century cutlery tradition of Albacete. This type of edged weapon represents one of the most distinctive and sought-after typologies within historic Spanish cutlery. The hilt, made of brass, features the characteristic openwork structure with multiple internal and external spherical elements traditionally known as “lanterns”, the defining feature of this typology. The technical complexity of its construction and its remarkable formal originality make these knives highly desirable among specialized collectors. The blade, of triangular section, shows engraved ornamental decoration typical of romantic-period Albacete production. The presence of the dated inscription “1873” together with the Alcázar Sarrión mark provides exceptional historical value, linking the piece to one of the most relevant documented regional workshops of the period. The knife retains its original scabbard with metal mounts, maintaining full typological and aesthetic coherence with the ensemble. Overall condition is excellent, with consistent patina and age-appropriate wear, and no significant structural alterations. Knives signed by members of the Sarrión family, particularly those produced in the context of 19th-century railway and commercial expansion, represent material testimonies of great historical and ethnographic interest. Dated examples of the lantern-knife typology are particularly scarce on today’s market. A piece of strong historical personality, notable typological rarity and high appeal within international European edged-weapon collecting. Measurements: 30.7 cm (12.1 in). Blade: 19.3 cm (7.6 in). History of the Alcázar Sarrión Mark The Alcázar Sarrión mark belongs to the Sarrión family of cutlers, linked to the Albacete cutlery industry since the early 19th century. Various members of the lineage worked both in Albacete and in Alcázar de San Juan, an important railway hub that facilitated the commercial distribution of edged weapons and handcrafted goods. The combined mark Alcázar + Sarrión is generally associated with the cutler Higinio Sarrión, who, after training in the family workshops in Albacete, established production in Alcázar de San Juan from the 1870s onwards. This context explains the inclusion of the place name alongside the surname, indicating both authorship and place of activity. The documented origins of the family tradition begin with Gabriel Sarrión, active from the mid-19th century and considered one of the pioneers in the commercial distribution of Albacete cutlery, particularly after the arrival of the railway. The continuity of the lineage and the variety of related marks make Sarrión-signed knives a highly specialized field of collecting today. Lantern knives signed by this family represent one of the most refined expressions of 19th-century Albacete craftsmanship.