ID needed ..your opinion sought????

[Steve]

Hi guys,

I'd like you to have a look at this and give me your opinion regarding where it came from, age etc. It looks African or near Africa to me.
The writing on the side of the silver handle looks familiar but I can't place it.
No scabbard. Found in the middle east is all I know.
All thoughts appreciated.
Thanks, Steve

[Jim McDougall]

Reasonable interpretation of an ancient Egyptian dagger, Berber Tifinaugh alphabet.

[katana]

I'm wondering whether this is a re-worked curved sword blade.

[Bryan.H]

Hi Steve, the dagger looks Tuareg to me, the brass handle is similar to some arm daggers I have seen.

[Jim McDougall]

mid rib is interesting. I think Tuaregs used Tifinagh.

[Steve]

Guys, thanks for the input,

Jim, the Tifinaugh writing, or its equivalent, looks about right. What about the central ribbed blade. Is this a Taureg style of blade?
It also doesn't seem to have the careful symmetry and multiuse of metals that Taureg knives usually have?
Steve

[Steve]

As a further to my comments. The written symbols , I think, actually belong to the old South Arabian alphabet which developed into the ge'ez script in Ethiopia and arabic in Yemen.
With the ribbed blade, it looks like it could come from the Ethiopian/Yemen area and be quite old? Any thoughts?
Steve

[Bryan.H]

As a further to my comments. The written symbols , I think, actually belong to the old South Arabian alphabet which developed into the ge'ez script in Ethiopia and arabic in Yemen.
With the ribbed blade, it looks like it could come from the Ethiopian/Yemen area and be quite old? Any thoughts?
Steve

The ridged blade is reminiscent of wahabite arab daggers and short swords..that would tie in with your analysis of the script.