Dagger

motan · 20th January 2020, 08:49 PM

Sorry, but I have to agree with G. Mansfield. Some clues tell me it is probably from Syria, but from Damascus, so not from the village of Majdal Shams, where the best and most well-known types were made. I would even say it was made 1980 or later.
As G. Mansfield suggested, you should clean the blade so that the writing will be readable. It is not always informative, but if you are lucky, a maker, place or date could become visible.
Also, the upper part of the hilt is turned 180 deg. You can probably turn it back by hand, so the the decorated part will all be at the front of the dagger.
G. Mansfield's example is equally recent, but could be made anywhere. They are made also in Iraq and Lebanon. I attached a pic of a recent purchase that is good quality and of one of the two main types made in Majdal Shams.

20th January 2020, 08:49 PM	#4
motan Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Jerusalem Posts: 274	Sorry, but I have to agree with G. Mansfield. Some clues tell me it is probably from Syria, but from Damascus, so not from the village of Majdal Shams, where the best and most well-known types were made. I would even say it was made 1980 or later. As G. Mansfield suggested, you should clean the blade so that the writing will be readable. It is not always informative, but if you are lucky, a maker, place or date could become visible. Also, the upper part of the hilt is turned 180 deg. You can probably turn it back by hand, so the the decorated part will all be at the front of the dagger. G. Mansfield's example is equally recent, but could be made anywhere. They are made also in Iraq and Lebanon. I attached a pic of a recent purchase that is good quality and of one of the two main types made in Majdal Shams.