Little help on this Knife Please
 

I just picked up this piece in Morocco. I was told that it is 19th century and is from Iran. The writing goes along this line (God besiege your protection and we ask you fend against bad intentions the protector the forgiver you almighty) it is from the koran if anyone can give me a better translation would be thankful. there are seven variations in the blade think they represent the steps to heaven but again not sure. What are your thoughts and opinions on this blade. And thanks in advance for all the help given on this thread.

I will upload a few more pics later later.

few more pics

cpl and will add one or two more in the future

The blade shows a chevron pattern. Could be Indian and not Iranian? You really should try and resize (make them smaller) your pics before posting them so they can be viewed more easily.


Lew

Welded or etched ? :confused:

On picture size; the optimal size is 1024X768 .

That will eliminate having to scroll . :)

Seems etched to me there are irregular lines on the areas where the welds would be.

Lew

Lew do you think that this is a 19th century knife or would you say it looks newer

The goldwork is in very good condition .

most of it is except the ones on the very back of the handle are worn

Late 19th I would think.


Lew

I think it is a composite: the blade is older and the chevron pattern presupposes some wootz segments ( absolutely needs to be etched). This, AFAIK, ws done by welding, and the irregular lines suggest a second rate job: the smith could not keep the welds linear. Nevertheless, chevrons are attractive. The handle and the decoration are newer, IMHO. I would not be surprised if they were quite recent, from India or Syria: they have well-oiled "restoring" operations there.

Isn't 1024 too wide ? Or is it because i use a laptop ? 800 seems to be the maximum width for me :confused: .
Fernando

Test
 

test desktop .

Must be the laptop . :shrug:

;)

Tony, i have sent you a PM.
Fernando

Thanks sent U a reply

Hi Clockwork,

I have to say I dont think this one is very old.
I agree there are 19thC chevron etched blades, but I don't think this looks like one. I think the etching looks fairly modern (I see similar ones with very rough edges to the etching quite often) and it looks like someone has tried to clean or polish the blade to remove it. The koftgari looks new and the blue colouration of the handle would rub off very quickly in use or with age.
I see very similar 'new' daggers for sale on indian sites now, I think this one is no more than about 20 years old.
Sorry.

Regards
Gene


Heres a brand new one which is similar, I can find some pics of the chevron bladed ones if you want?
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c5...a/jhawarji.jpg