Algerian Bichak/Bicaq
 

This should be a "bichak/bicaq" of the Ottomans in Algeria
the handle and scabbard are made ​​of a silver alloy rather poor
the blade is that of a conventional flissa with inlaid copper, as usual

the tip of the sheath, intrigued me before buying, but after receiving
I found that there was never a chape, absolutely no mark

nevertheless, I imagined, how nicer could the scabbard
with a Ottoman silver dolphin chape, two problems arise
- the scale of the chape, and the tip of the sheath, it's may be a little weird
- the quality silver alloys are not quite the same

to help you to imagine the situation, I have posted pictures of two cases
now thanks, to give me your views and comments

best regards

à +

Dom

Hi
I did not expect such a burst of enthusiasm on your part at all
at least, I haven't a lot of answer to do ... (bitter irony) :o

more seriously, as I mentioned, one of my concern was;
- the scale of the chape, and the tip of the sheath, it's may be a little weird

in my collection of spare-parts, I found an other Ottoman silver chape,
with a better look, at least, the size is more convenient of the whole

thanks for your comments, if you can take a few moments
even, if you want to tell me, that it's just a junk, and ugly dagger :p
at least I will have a comment :D

à +

Dom

Dom,
I am not sure this dagger was ever meant to have a dolphin (seamonster) shaped chape. There have been various discussions about the links between the Balkans and the Maghreb. Elgood's latest book mentiones that some of the manufacturing centers in the Western Balkans had production, specially aimed at export to Tunisia and Algeria. When one considers that much of the local elite in Tunisia and Algeria at the time was descendant from Ottoman janissaries, its taste for elaborately decorated hilts and scabbards in the Balkan style is not surprising.
What I personally see here is a local attempt at imitating a Balkan bichaq - the craftsman who produced the scabbard and the hilt for your dagger did his best interpretation. Casting a dolphin chape may have been out of his ability, and adding one now, over a century later, will only ruin the authenticity of what is an interesting and very nice Northern African dagger.
Regards,
Teodor

Hi Teodor
thanks to share a reflexion with me
your point of view makes sense, when you said; "will only ruin the authenticity"
in fact I have been attracted by what I found with "google picture"
I saw a "Silver Ottoman 19th C. Turkish Greek Bichaq Dagger" same size than mine,
with exactly the same chape that I had in reserve :o

thanks again, to have helping me in ideas exchange
best regards

à +

Dom