And another one

[kahnjar1]

From the same sale, this brass mounted dagger. Possible tourist type but nice just the same.
Any thoughts as to origins please.

[Battara]

Does look like a tourist form of shafra.

[ariel]

Shibriya, palestinian form.

[ward]

those pieces at the end of chain look like seal stamps. Are they?

[kahnjar1]

those pieces at the end of chain look like seal stamps. Are they?

Thanks Ward for the question. I have attached a further pic of the ends of these, and if they are what you suggest, can you please tell me what they were used for etc.

[ward]

yes that is exactly what they are. when writting a document you would seal the letter with a bit of seal wax and push these into the wax. that way you would know i the letter was opened. They were also used to prove who had written a document. These have been used since roman times at that time they were often also used to mark pottery. if you take some standard candle wax and try it on the raised section run a magic marker across and it should be able to be read. I see a date right away on one of them i beleive it is 1902 ad. I acually wear a early ring type of this kind all the time that is dated back into the 18th century.

[kahnjar1]

THANKS FOR THAT!!! I had thought that these were a method of attaching the chain to clothing, in the fashion of a button, but you live and learn! You obviously have some knowledge of Arabic. Can you translate the blade on the other dagger I have listed?
Regards Stu :)

[ward]

let me see if I can get some time. dates I can do off the top of my head writting is a little more difficult I have to write it out myself after I have decifered each letter than look up the words I do not know. I am not a native speaker but can translate when I need to.

[Jim McDougall]

those pieces at the end of chain look like seal stamps. Are they?

Would that suggest that this piece might have belonged to a merchant or an official, rather than being a mere tourist item? Also, that triangular pommel seems unusual, is it characteristic of Palestinian edged weapons?

[ward]

I do not think so I think the chain with the seal rings was laying around and got stuck on maybe not but they usually are not assosiated

[kahnjar1]

It would appear that the chain etc could well have been an addition as the chain is looped thru the hanging ring. Anyway it adds some interest to the piece, and as I know some of the provenance, I would suspect that the two where collected at much the same time by the original owners.
Stuart

[Dom]

maybe not but they usually are not assosiated
absolutely :p
those seal stamps are belong two (2) different persons (males),
and not from the same period, ten years discard

till yet in use e.i. in Egypt where to many peoples are illiterated
at end of month, to sign on pay roll ... souvenirs .. souvenirs :rolleyes:

à +

Dom

[kahnjar1]

absolutely :p
those seal stamps are belong two (2) different persons (males),
and not from the same period, ten years discard

till yet in use e.i. in Egypt where to many peoples are illiterated
at end of month, to sign on pay roll ... souvenirs .. souvenirs :rolleyes:

à +

Dom
Thanks so much for that information. It is very frustrating to know that information is there but in a language you don't understand!
I have another dagger (featured on this Forum a few weeks ago) with Arabic inscription on the blade. Are you able to translate for me please? Pics attached. Regards Stuart

[paolo]

I wish to take advantage of this thread to have, if possible, a translation of the writings on the cartouche of my Quajar shamshir.
Paolo

[Dom]

Are you able to translate for me please?
will try, just be patient
but no guarantee about result :p

à +

Dom

[Dom]

translation of the writings on the cartouche of my Quajar shamshir.
I Paolo,
unfortunately in the first cartouche is written with in Farsi (فارسی, fārsī)
it's logical that it is not Arabic ... your dagger is Qajar
and here we know "just" arabic :shrug:

but you are a lucky man, the second cartridge is readable
you have the name of the bladesmith, the well know "Assad Allah" :D

à +

Dom

[kahnjar1]

will try, just be patient
but no guarantee about result :p

à +

Dom
Thanks Dom, you have PM
Regards Stuart

[paolo]

Many thanks for Your help Dom. I have a very precious shamshir :D
Paolo