WHIMSICAL VIKING FLINT STRIKER, C.850-1050AD

Forged iron of near conventional form with whimsical details provided by the blacksmith.  1 7/8” long. Symmetrical with peaked medial striking bar. The extensions compressed to a zigzag at the terminals and tapering to scroll terminals. In form, it accords specifically with Typology of Fire Starters from the Viking Age Norway, first example, which the author states "The most common type of Norwegian fire strikers, identified as Rygh 426, "almost one-third of all finds comes from the 10th century". He further states that these are commonly found in the graves of women. This one almost surely was made for a woman, probably of some status.