1812 Parrying Dagger

Parrying daggers, also known in French, as the "Main-Guache", was designed to parry an offensive thrust while wielding a primary weapon in the other hand, typically a Rapier or other single handed bladed weapon. In contrast to their predecessor, being the medieval dagger, the parrying dagger incorporating a wider guard and often a protective guard.

The use of an off-hand weapon gradually fell out of favor as sword fighting migrated to the use of progressively lighter "small swords". Under these circumstances the use of just a primary weapon offered improvements in balance as well as a stance that offered a smaller target.