This complete cast copper alloy dagger pommel was discovered by Murray in Surrey. Roughly spherical in shape with a hollow interior, it is undecorated, although one side has been flattened, probably due to post depositional damage. Circular apertures appear on two sides for the tang, one of which has small pointed notches arranged at intervals, perhaps to create a more rectangular fit, as seen in other known examples. The pommel would once have been fixed to the end of the dagger’s tang, with a cap covering the tip to secure it firmly in place.
At first glance, Murray thought he had uncovered a small bell. It was only after careful cleaning, when he noticed the unusual hole at the base, that he decided to seek advice. Posting the find online in a detecting community led to its correct identification as a dagger pommel dating to the medieval or early post medieval period.
Though modest in appearance, this object is a rare survival of a personal weapon from centuries past. It serves as a reminder that the Surrey landscape has long witnessed the presence of those who carried arms, whether for protection, hunting or service.