Is this from Morroco?
 

I have been trying to get this for six months and finally traded for it. The blade has French stamps on it. I really do not know what it is or where this came from but it looks Turkish to me. Had red in the handle at one time but much has came out. Is this 1800's? Measures approx. 17 inches. Any info would be appreciated.

Hello Terry,

This is a Moroccan knife called a Koumaya.
It appears to be 20th century at face value.

Regards

Gavin

Thank You much, Gavin.
I will post more pictures but who knows when they will be posted as I am new and everything is still filtered.
Terry

more pics

blade pics

Moroccan works is often identifiable by region. This is Altit (Moroccan southern Atlas) work, typified by the scrolled and pierced motifs. It's also found in jewelry and musket mounts in the region. The quality of the work, and the more conservative use of silver, implies a mid-19th century date. The name is Kumiyyah, stressed on the second syllable. It is often transliterated koumiyyah, from French.

My koummya has similar marks on the blade but they're too faint to read

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=18824

Although the blades dated 1855 & with marks stating Napoleon 111 etc. As "Empire France" is clearly written in English the marks are not to be trusted for dating I would surmise?

If A French or Moroccan period Napoleon the 3rd blade it would say "Empire Francais" after all? :shrug:

So perhaps made or marketed for people who speak English?

spiral

1855 was the year of France's first International Exhibition.
The "Napoleon III Empereur" looks correct, but the "Empire France" should, as Spiral said, be "Empire Français".

This etching looks like an imitation of period coins (see attached)

Emanuel

Thanks all for the answers!

Oliver Pinchot,
Thank you for the details.

Blue lander,
Very nice dagger, too bad about the blade.

spiral,
I have no idea, but may be that was made for sale to others.

Emanuel,
Thanks for the coin photos.

Terry