Salaams All ; Note to Library... Just sweeping through the library I noticed this dagger. This is the Habaabi variant~ an odd fellow indeed. What is this dagger which looks very like the Omani style doing in Saudia ? Actually it appears to mimic the Muscat Khanjar not the Royal Omani Khanjar. It may be remembered that Sheherazad one of the wives of Saiid Sultan of Oman who ruled 1804 to 1856 designed a new hilt in about 1850 that incorporated with the "7 ringer" Muscat Scabbard became the Royal Khanjar "Saidiyyah"
The original style of 7 ringer, Muscat Khanjar continued with the TEE shaped hilt. It is the Tee Shaped Hilt Muscat Khanjar that we see reflected in this Saudia design.
The design probably flowed from Oman to the Habaabi region via sea trade as the Habaabi regions coastal belt was in continuous trade with Zanzibar and Oman. At the time the region was part of the Yemen but was absorbed by Saudia in the early 1920s...The weapon stayed put. Khanjars from that region with Saudia crossed swords were made after the area was absorbed. The project item at #1 looks to be about 30 years old.
Thus The Habaabi Khanjar.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.
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