19th century (Serbian woman's) knife
 

Some time ago at an auction, my attention was drawn to a for me odd description "Two Balkan woman's daggers,".

To my knowledge of the Balkans, the ladies over there are in no need of a knive as their tongue is sharper then a yataghan and faster then an AK47 Kalashnikov.☺ and no...I have not been touchin' rakija ☼

Nevertheless I went for them and won. A third soon fell into my lap as well. This time it stated to be of Serbian origin...(?)

Next to their (women's) role in the Balkan society only a few exceptions existed ( a lady brigand in Hercegowina during the insurrection against the Ottomans and one strong Serbian Queen who got murdered) and it was not common that they carried weapons.



These 3 knives are for sure 19th century and from the Balkans and most likely from the former Yu region (perhaps Bulgaria ...?)

As for dimensions:

the small one

total length: 15 cm (with scabbard) - 13,7 cm (without)
blade: 7 cm
handle: 7 cm

the middle one:

total length: 21 cm (with scabbard) - 20 cm (without)
blade: 11 cm
handle: 9 cm

the top one:

total length: 23,5 cm (with scabbard) - 22,5 cm (without)
blade: 12 cm
handle: 10 cm

Have a look here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=balkan

Thnx a lot / herzlichen Dank !

Indeed I see some common similarities with some Bulgarian ones, but unfortunately none with complete copper octagonal handles.
Perhaps that my 3 ones are a fancy version ?

Also the stamp / mark on the small one like an "M" is quite a rude mark compared to the nice (caligraphic) marks on other 2.

Hi GP,

You are welcome! :) You need to read the given thread, my both knives get identified from our member sfeonid13 as Laz knives, Black Sea region, see here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...1&postcount=10

The bigger one I've sold, the small one I still keep, it's a very well made and for it's size heavy knife.
Yours just have brass handles but the blade form and the engravings on the blade are the give-away IMVHO.

Best regards,
Detlef

Thnx again!

Question: what was the function of the smaller knives ?

Best regards

Gunar

Hi Gunar,

I just don't know and only can guess, a possible small side knife from a set like we know from other sets?
My one is really small and don't fall in a area of my interest but it's so good worked and nice that I decided to keep it.
Here it was shown again: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ight=miniature
There you can see how small it's indeed.

Regards,
Detlef

My first thought or better my guess was as mentioned in the strings of your link it also to be a piece of craftmanship based upon the traditional system from journeyman to master / geselle - meister / compagnon - maitre .
Especially when I am looking at the quality of the pieces.
But as I can not back that up by whatever proof it remains an open question to me. So thank you for your reply, making two of us not knowing

Best regards

Gunar

:shrug: :)

Should be : Not knowing what the function of the small knives are...

I've understand what you mean! ;) :D