Saudi Jambiya - dagger

[A.alnakkas]

Hello Edge,

Welcome to the forum!

Your Jambiya is of the Asir/hijaz (south saudi) type. Its of a good quality but I think its from the 2nd half of the 20th century. These are still being made with faithfulness and using good material (they are still worn sometimes)

The blade is not wootz from what I can see and it is identical to other blades of jambiyas in similar form. Though most saudi produced daggers/swords are made of good quality steel using car suspension springs as far as I know.

I found some before identical to this one but passed on them (expensive!)

Regards,

Abdullatif

[kahnjar1]

Welcome to the Forum.
I agree with Abdullatif. This is Asir/Hijaz from mid 20th c. I have a very similar one with a different style blade which came in a nice felt covered presentation box, with the Saudi Crest on the lid.
The correct Saudi description is Dharia dagger in Muqaffala or Mufarragha style.
If you need to, please feel free to email me at sabiki@clear.net.nz
Regards Stuart

[Edge]

I took the liberty of deleting your question on the dagger's value. In the future please refrain from asking for $$$ values on the open forum it is against the rules.

ok sorry about that! I was just curious!

Though most saudi produced daggers/swords are made of good quality steel using car suspension springs as far as I know

OMG! lol scary! (it might explain why it smells bad lol-see below..)

Stuart thanks for the photos and the information



This might seem weird but I would also like to add that the leather smells awefully bad , it smells old and the silver or metal smells very much like smelly exhaust fumes terminator2ish like WD40 (only 100x worse up close), maybe it's whatever they used on it? or the blood of the innocents :P I'm also unsure if it has been restored where there is black stuff that keeps the blade and the handle together, I think that stuff smells too what the hell..

Under the leather belt-holder at the >front< of the sword's scabbard, it's like as if the metal has been worn down and is smooth and lost it's pattern, probably because someone was wearing it and with friction it smoothed down?

I also see that under the leather at the rear, there is some sort of reaction and the metal has turned dark/greeney, probably because they used inferior/inpurer metals at the back instead of the front.

I hope/wish this wasen't of the mid 1900s, I want something old

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by Edge

ok sorry about that! I was just curious!

OMG! lol scary! (it might explain why it smells bad lol-see below..)

Stuart thanks for the photos and the information



This might seem weird but I would also like to add that the leather smells awefully bad , it smells old and the silver or metal smells very much like smelly exhaust fumes terminator2ish like WD40 (only 100x worse up close), maybe it's whatever they used on it? or the blood of the innocents :P I'm also unsure if it has been restored where there is black stuff that keeps the blade and the handle together, I think that stuff smells too what the hell..

Under the leather belt-holder at the >front< of the sword's scabbard, it's like as if the metal has been worn down and is smooth and lost it's pattern, probably because someone was wearing it and with friction it smoothed down?

I also see that under the leather at the rear, there is some sort of reaction and the metal has turned dark/greeney, probably because they used inferior/inpurer metals at the back instead of the front.

I hope/wish this wasen't of the mid 1900s, I want something old

Leather can smell depending on what it has been near, or been treated with. Likely some sort of animal fat if it has been used in a tribal area. The "green" you mention is probably mild corrosion, and the plain worn look under the leather is probably exactly that, but also there is normally no decoration in the area where the belt goes. The black stuff holding the blade in place is pitch usually.
Please email me sabiki@clear.net.nz
Regards Stuart

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by Edge

ok sorry about that! I was just curious!

OMG! lol scary! (it might explain why it smells bad lol-see below..)

Stuart thanks for the photos and the information



This might seem weird but I would also like to add that the leather smells awefully bad , it smells old and the silver or metal smells very much like smelly exhaust fumes terminator2ish like WD40 (only 100x worse up close), maybe it's whatever they used on it? or the blood of the innocents :P I'm also unsure if it has been restored where there is black stuff that keeps the blade and the handle together, I think that stuff smells too what the hell..

Under the leather belt-holder at the >front< of the sword's scabbard, it's like as if the metal has been worn down and is smooth and lost it's pattern, probably because someone was wearing it and with friction it smoothed down?

I also see that under the leather at the rear, there is some sort of reaction and the metal has turned dark/greeney, probably because they used inferior/inpurer metals at the back instead of the front.

I hope/wish this wasen't of the mid 1900s, I want something old

Hi 'Edge'

The reaction where the metal has turned green will probobly be from the tannins in the leather corroding the metal. The green colour will be 'verdi gris' formed by the oxidisation of the copper content of the metal.

The wear on the metal (if that's what it is) may indicate that this was worn and used for some time prior to being bought in the 1970s.
How long, you'll have to judge for yourself from the state of the leather and item in general.

As has been stated, these have been made for a long period and frankly if yours was made in 1920 or 1950, it makes very little difference.

The important thing is that it is a very handsome example, in great condition. It looks to be well made, with a well formed blade, high quality silverwork on the hilt and mounts, and it has its belt!

I'd be happy to own it and if it were mine it would be a keeper!
So congratulations on a really nice piece!

Jealous Regards
Gene

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Hi 'Edge'

The important thing is that it is a very handsome example, in great condition. It looks to be well made, with a well formed blade, high quality silverwork on the hilt and mounts, and it has its belt!

I'd be happy to own it and if it were mine it would be a keeper!
So congratulations on a really nice piece!

Jealous Regards
Gene

I agree with Gene,

This is a very fine looking example (one of the best I have seen) and has been used, that is important, I wouldn't be distracted by any age reference, it is a smashing looking piece.

Gav

[Edge]

you guys put a smile on my face,
Cheers