Help I.D. Damascus/Khoftgari Khanjar?

NovelsRus · 27th April 2013, 02:14 PM

Hi, Board,

Can anyone please help me I.D. this vintage, handmade Damascus Khanjar? It allegedly has silver koftgari work on sheath and handle, but the insignia on the Damascus blade looks off to me. Possibly an older Middle Eastern origin? I don't think this is one of the mass-produced tourist trinkets from India, but I may be wrong. I'll attach pics. And thanks!

Adriboy · 27th April 2013, 07:29 PM

is there anyody can explain the history of this very good weapon?

AJ1356 · 27th April 2013, 08:01 PM

These are made for tourist markets, exported to pretty much a bunch of places from India. The hilt and the sheet read Allah. I don't know what the word on the blade means.

Battara · 27th April 2013, 11:31 PM

I hate to agree - bit I totally agree. He is right in everything he has said so far.

Sorry.

Montino Bourbon · 28th April 2013, 08:22 AM

I've been seen this style of Damascus on the market for about 15 or 20 years. The raindrop patterns give it away although there is old steel with that pattern as well. I spent the last 2 winters in Jaipur, Rajasthan. I've seen a lot of these. It's not easy to find older stuff. I posted a kard that I got on my last trip sometime in December or January. Excellent old weapons can be found, but they're quite expensive. They will trot out this stuff 1st. Some of it really looks quite genuine, and they're getting better, but it's fairly characteristic. And don't get me wrong, it definitely is nice work, and getting better daily; it's just not old.

Emanuel · 28th April 2013, 03:33 PM

I had the same experience in Rajasthan. Same type of daggers, some with tiger/ram/forse head pommel. They also make jamadhars/katars and very bad tulwars. The old stuff is either in terrible shape or is quite good but expensive.

Emanuel

NovelsRus · 25th July 2013, 06:23 AM

To everyone kind enough to reply,
Many, many thanks for taking the time to post your replies, insights, opinions and the eye that only much experience can develop. I had a feeling the price was suspiciously low, but I'll keep it anyway. I love all the Damascus I can get.

Thanks again, everyone!

More soon!

John

27th April 2013, 02:14 PM	#1
NovelsRus Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 41	Help I.D. Damascus/Khoftgari Khanjar? Hi, Board, Can anyone please help me I.D. this vintage, handmade Damascus Khanjar? It allegedly has silver koftgari work on sheath and handle, but the insignia on the Damascus blade looks off to me. Possibly an older Middle Eastern origin? I don't think this is one of the mass-produced tourist trinkets from India, but I may be wrong. I'll attach pics. And thanks! Attached Images

27th April 2013, 07:29 PM	#2
Adriboy Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 19	very good weapon is there anyody can explain the history of this very good weapon?

28th April 2013, 08:22 AM	#5
Montino Bourbon Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 301	This is very modern, as I found out. I've been seen this style of Damascus on the market for about 15 or 20 years. The raindrop patterns give it away although there is old steel with that pattern as well. I spent the last 2 winters in Jaipur, Rajasthan. I've seen a lot of these. It's not easy to find older stuff. I posted a kard that I got on my last trip sometime in December or January. Excellent old weapons can be found, but they're quite expensive. They will trot out this stuff 1st. Some of it really looks quite genuine, and they're getting better, but it's fairly characteristic. And don't get me wrong, it definitely is nice work, and getting better daily; it's just not old.

25th July 2013, 06:23 AM	#7
NovelsRus Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 41	Thanks, all, much appreciated To everyone kind enough to reply, Many, many thanks for taking the time to post your replies, insights, opinions and the eye that only much experience can develop. I had a feeling the price was suspiciously low, but I'll keep it anyway. I love all the Damascus I can get. Thanks again, everyone! More soon! John

27th April 2013, 08:01 PM	#3
AJ1356 Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Nashville Posts: 314	These are made for tourist markets, exported to pretty much a bunch of places from India. The hilt and the sheet read Allah. I don't know what the word on the blade means.

27th April 2013, 11:31 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	I hate to agree - bit I totally agree. He is right in everything he has said so far. Sorry.

28th April 2013, 03:33 PM	#6
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	I had the same experience in Rajasthan. Same type of daggers, some with tiger/ram/forse head pommel. They also make jamadhars/katars and very bad tulwars. The old stuff is either in terrible shape or is quite good but expensive. Emanuel