Kindjal for study

[Nagawarrior]

Well, here it goes. What's the verdict on my Kindjal? I haven't had the opportunity to handle many. I've read a bit, but that's all. I bought this from an expert in the field, you pay a premium, but hopefully a quality piece. I can't remember much about what he told me now, having a senior moment, but I do remember he said Kubachi work. It has been one of my favorite for quite a while.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/Nagawarrior/Kindjal/kindjal017.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/Nagawarrior/Kindjal/kindjal015.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/Nagawarrior/Kindjal/kindjal014.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/Nagawarrior/Kindjal/kindjal013.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/Nagawarrior/Kindjal/kindjal012.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/Nagawarrior/Kindjal/kindjal011.jpg

[Nagawarrior]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/Nagawarrior/Kindjal/kindjal010.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/Nagawarrior/Kindjal/kindjal009.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/Nagawarrior/Kindjal/kindjal008.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/Nagawarrior/Kindjal/kindjal007.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/Nagawarrior/Kindjal/kindjal006.jpg

[ariel]

Is the silverwork goldwashed?
Any markings on the upper back of the scabbard? On the blade?

[Nagawarrior]

Yes to goldwashed. Good eye Ariel. No to marks. There is a little niello arrow design on the back of the suspension attachment area. Maybe a special mark?

[Gavin Nugent]

Glad to see more examples coming out for comment, I am very interested in viewing comparative comments.


regards

Gav

[ariel]

Very good and old example.Goldwash is not something that is done ( and done well!) on recent creations. The repousse is of Kubachi type, with "tutta" being the predominant motif. It is very well executed, and the massive and deep work on the middle feature is very impressive. Many silver clad kindjals were never submitted to the official testing and stamping of silver purity( nobody wants to pay taxes). Either that or it was done before ~1880. The exact origin is difficult to pinpoint, because masters of different ethnicities worked together and blended their styles.
Make sure the wooden inserts in the handle are old: otherwise, think about replaced blade.
Overall, a keeper. Congratulations!

[Gavin Nugent]

Congrats Stephen, with all the talk recently about sloppy lines from so many and no markingss, I was beginning to think the worst for another Kindjal presented. Good work! Nice additional information too Ariel.

regards

Gav

[Nagawarrior]

ariel, I've looked at the wood expose under the handle and it looks old to me. The blade exposed just above the wood blocked by the handle has a dark rust patina, like you would find on the tang of an old Japanese sword. This is an area that could not be polished or cleaned over the years. Does this indicate an old, original blade? There are also some very interesting V-shaped nicks on the edged of the blade, perhaps battle scars? Westerners always assume there is some sort of clanging of blades during a battle. I watch too many sword fighting films probably.
stephen

[Yannis]

There are also some very interesting V-shaped nicks on the edged of the blade, perhaps battle scars?

More possible dance scars :D Kindjal is not the weapon for swordplay but for fast knife style fighting. In the other hand Georgian dance has lot of kindjal action