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View Full Version : Can Someone Help Identify - Jambiya?


HAM8T
6th March 2007, 08:33 PM
Hello Everyone,

I am still going through some decades-old stuff in our attic and garage loft and I have now come across this jambiya(?) which I am hoping someone might be able to assist me in identifying. A while back I posted one that was one made for the tourist trade. I am not sure whether this is one of the same type or the "real" thing.

The hollow(?) of the handle where the blade is set is filled with some strange-looking whitish substance. I poked it with a pin and it is hard like cement or maybe bone but looks like an insect's nest to me!

I would appreciate any help you can offer.

Thanks,
Helen

Emanuel
6th March 2007, 08:52 PM
Hello,

You have a type of Persian khanjar. The carvings on the blade and handle resemble those on Qajar period examples, so 18th-19th centuries?
Inside the handle may be some old cuttler's cement/resin. If the stuff melts when heated then it's resin. It could be bone/ivory or even stone, but then it wouldn't be clad in metal.
It's a nice piece, congrats.

Regards,
Emanuel

HAM8T
6th March 2007, 09:19 PM
Hello Emanuel,

Thank you so much for your response to my post - your comments are very helpful.

Regards,
Helen

Henk
7th March 2007, 08:02 PM
Although these type of weapons are not my field, I think Emanuel gave the right description.
But I'm afraid that it is a rather rescent made blade. A waved blade is rather uncommon for these type of daggers. Looking at the close up of the blade I see some marks of a file and the blade looks rather thin to me. Although the piece looks nice, I'm afraid it isn't the real thing.