Circa 8th century A.D. Aplete iron tanged knife blade with a thin rectangular cross-section tang, stepped shoulders and single cutting edge, the spine running parallel to the blade and angling down at the widest point in a straight line to join the tip of the cutting edge. Cf. for a similar knife PAS no.GLO-B663A3, of bigger dimensions (27 cm); Underwood, R., Anglo-Saxon, Weapons & Warfare, Stroud, 1999, p.69. 24.1 grams, 14.5 cm (5 3/4 in.). Found on the Thames foreshore, London, UK. Acquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985. Albert Ward collection (part 4), Essex, UK. The small knife seems to be of type IV, like the one found in the Thames at Wandsworth. Based on its similarities with a specimen from Canterbury, it could be dated at 8th century A.D. Underwood classifies these kind of knives under the typology C (angled back-curved cutting edge) dating them from the mid 6th to early 8th century A.D. [No Reserve]