Kindjal

[erlikhan]

A short kindjal with bone hilt and a razor sharp blade. Dated 1894 and a figure chiselled. Maker stamped. Anybody recognizes the figure or the stamp?? I guess, from Caucassia? Less possiblility but can be from Turkey?

regards

[ariel]

The decorative arabesque on the blade looks very Greek to me.

[eftihis]

I agree with Ariel. Not Caucasian for sure. Somewhere from the Balkans, could be from North Greece.

[us_milcoll]

If it helps I have a Khyber (probably a cut-down yataghan) that has nearly identical markings...but dated to 1805. Mine came from a gentleman that thought it was from the region bordering the Black Sea. But then my example also bears an anchor on the blade...that may have something to do with it.

[ariel]

If it helps I have a Khyber (probably a cut-down yataghan) that has nearly identical markings...but dated to 1805. Mine came from a gentleman that thought it was from the region bordering the Black Sea. But then my example also bears an anchor on the blade...that may have something to do with it.
Can we see pictures?

[us_milcoll]

Yes, I will take some photos of it and get it up here as soon as I can...

[erlikhan]

Thank you for all the info. I tend to turn to the direction which eftihis shows,as he will guess better if an arm comes from his own country or not. I wonder if anybody knows any links or pictures available for Greek kindjal samples of the period?

regards

[us_milcoll]

First off my apologies for the long delay in posting this...some jobs can be a real pain at times.

This knife measures just over 22-inches, in length damage appears to be period. Markings are on the damaged side.

If the pictures of the markings are not sufficient let me know and I will try scanning better ones.

Oh, and being so long since I looked at this in hand...I see the date is 1809.

http://image.inkfrog.com/pix/us_milcoll/Yataghan_007.jpg

http://image.inkfrog.com/pix/us_milcoll/Yataghan_008.jpg

http://image.inkfrog.com/pix/us_milcoll/Yataghan_022.jpg

http://image.inkfrog.com/pix/us_milcoll/Yataghan_014.jpg

[ariel]

This is not Khyber: nothing Afghani here.
Greek dagger with a Yataghan-like handle. The date is 1800? Still under Ottoman rule. Looks almost military or, more likely, naval style, as based on the anchor.

[Yannis]

Ariel, I agree with your opinion about Greek origin and naval motives. I cannot read the date but 1800 is too early for the style of decoration on the blade. I would say end of 19th century like the other knife. The scabbard is more recent. Also I have the sister of the other knife in my hands.