Moroccan Koummya

[jswillems]

I'm new to collecting knives and I need a little help getting some information on this knife. All that I really know about it is that it is a Moroccan Koummya. It's about 16 inches (40 cm) long with a 8 1/2 inch (17.5 cm) blade. I'm fairly sure that it is silver. I was wondering if anyone knew if it was an authentic koummya or a tourist piece. If it is authentic, does anyone know about how old it is? I'm also very interested in the mark on the blade. If you need anymore pictures just let me know. Any information you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Sajen]

Welcome to the forum! I think that it is an authentic one withal a very nice one.

sajen

[Dom]

Hi, wecome here
apparently, that Koummya it's not a tourist piece,
very nice dagger, if it's possible to give a datation,
let said around 1908 date of the first railway creation in Morocco. :D

à +

Dom

[jswillems]

Thanks for the replies. Nice to know it doesn't look like a cheap tourist item! As for the train mark, I've done some research online but haven't found much.

[Atlantia]

Hi JS

Welcome to the forums.
Nice dagger. Looks like its got some real age and quality.
The Steam train motif is unusual and rather attractive too. All in all a good piece I'd say.

Gene

[Rick]

Maybe excellent ; could that be a Rhino handle ?
Awfully coarse grain for wood . :confused:

[jswillems]

How would I be able to tell if it is rhino horn or wood? It does seem to have a very coarse grain. Here are some larger pictures of the handle. Thanks.

[katana]

Hi jswillems,
you could try the 'hot pin' test on a part of the handle that is generally hidden....the smell of burning hair is an excellent indicator.

Although the close ups of the handle seem to reveal a wood grain (similar to something like rosewood) ...but cannot be totally sure. Sometimes close-ups give false 'impressions'

All the best
David

[Rick]

I have a very woody looking rhino hilt on an Algerian Saif .

Try the pin .... ;)

[spiral]

I Could be wrong but it looks like some of the typical West African timber types to me, photos of end grain rather than side grain would help massivly though.

Its a lovely piece, great blade, workmanship, inscription etc.

Wish it was mine!

Spiral

[jswillems]

Sorry for taking so long to test the handle. I finally got around to it today and it turns out that the handle is made of wood. Also, I was wondering if it was alright for someone to e-mail me with an estimate of the value of this knife or let me know how I could find that out. I don't plan on selling it but am just curious. Thanks again to everyone who helped me find out info on this knife. Here's my e-mail: jswillems@sbcglobal.net