Elegant Bichaq with inscription for translation

[Gonzoadler]

Hello,

I also got this beautiful Bichaq. Because of the fuller work I think it was made around 1900 in the region of Trabzon, maybe in Surmene.
The handle is made of black horn with mother-of-pearl inlays. The metal mountings are of nickel silver and the scabbard is covered with goat leather.

There is an inscription on the back of the hilt, it would be great if someone can translate it ;)

Total length: 31.5cm
Without scabbard: 31.4cm (really :D )
Blade: 20.5cm

Best
Robin

[Gonzoadler]

Bump.

[Sajen]

I don't know why nobody respond to your thread! :shrug:
I think that you are correct, I also think that it is a Black Sea bichaq, a beautiful example, congrats.

Can't help with the inscription, sorry.

Regards,
Detlef

[G. Mansfield]

Hi Robin, I cannot help with the translation but I believe you are correct with the description. Attached are two in my collection very similar.

-Geoff

[Gonzoadler]

Hello Geoff,
quite good pieces and really similar to mine.
I think these daggers are not very common,
thanks for showing.

[Richard G]

It's a makers signature which I can't fully read (Surprise! Surprise!).
Amal (work of) Sai??
Regards
Richard

[Gonzoadler]

Thank you for translation. Was Amal the owner or is it a city?
Regards

[Richard G]

'Amal' means 'the work of', or more loosely, 'made by'.
Regards
Richard

[Gonzoadler]

Ah, I misunderstood your answer. Thank you.
Regards
Robin

[kwiatek]

It is

عمل حسين

'amal husayn

'Work of Husayn'

[Gonzoadler]

Ah, Husayn and not Sai.
Thank you very much, Kwiatek!
Regards
Robin

[kwiatek]

You are welcome, thanks for sharing your knife with us.

Actually, since it is Turkish you should probably transliterate it as

amel-i hüseyin

“Work of Hüseyin”