silver mounted jambia

Tim Simmons · 25th August 2005, 09:19 PM

Hello Fernando,
I do not know much about these except there are a lot here in the UK as we had 'interests' in the Yemen. Yours may be from Libya but the silver work looks Yemen to me, it also has a reasonable blade. So many here in the UK even quite old looking ones, often with rather fancy scabbards have nasty tourist looking blades. I have not got one of these, I have not seen the right one. Tim

ariel · 25th August 2005, 09:39 PM

This one is old, no doubt.
It is a Gusbi Jambiya from Hadramaut, South Yemen. Not a "run of the mill " finding! Congratulations!

derek · 25th August 2005, 10:20 PM

Hi,
I agree with Ariel. Yemeni and probably fairly old, definitely not made to be sold in a tourist shop.

They still make fantastic jambiyas like this today, though I have only seen them offered by Yemeni (from Sanaa) sellers at the Dubai Shopping Festival. I never ventured to Yemen as it wasn't the safest place for a yank. Anyway, I saw more than a few hundred examples and the only way I could tell the new from the old was the blade - another aspect of yours that looks older.

I notice a little hole in the leather on the back. Is there a small silver coin there with an incsription?

Carter may be able to read the back of the grip.

Nice find.
-d

Michael Blalock · 26th August 2005, 09:55 PM

Based on the shape of the grip my guess would be the Najran area of Saudi Arabia.

fernando · 27th August 2005, 08:12 PM

Thank you so much for the precious info. It would still be great to figure out the meaning of the arab engraving on the grip.
I would be so much obliged for help in this area.

Aqtai · 27th August 2005, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

Thank you so much for the precious info. It would still be great to figure out the meaning of the arab engraving on the grip.
I would be so much obliged for help in this area.

The 1st 2 words say "Omar 'Abdallah". I can't read the 3rd word.

fernando · 28th August 2005, 11:41 AM

Thanks a lot, Aqtai.
I will try and take a clearer picture of the last word, then i will request your kind help again. Maybe this last part is the family name, either from the owner or the maker ?! This would be rather interesting to know.
Thanks again

25th August 2005, 09:19 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,940	Hello Fernando, I do not know much about these except there are a lot here in the UK as we had 'interests' in the Yemen. Yours may be from Libya but the silver work looks Yemen to me, it also has a reasonable blade. So many here in the UK even quite old looking ones, often with rather fancy scabbards have nasty tourist looking blades. I have not got one of these, I have not seen the right one. Tim

25th August 2005, 09:39 PM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	This one is old, no doubt. It is a Gusbi Jambiya from Hadramaut, South Yemen. Not a "run of the mill " finding! Congratulations!

25th August 2005, 10:20 PM	#3
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Hi, I agree with Ariel. Yemeni and probably fairly old, definitely not made to be sold in a tourist shop. They still make fantastic jambiyas like this today, though I have only seen them offered by Yemeni (from Sanaa) sellers at the Dubai Shopping Festival. I never ventured to Yemen as it wasn't the safest place for a yank. Anyway, I saw more than a few hundred examples and the only way I could tell the new from the old was the blade - another aspect of yours that looks older. I notice a little hole in the leather on the back. Is there a small silver coin there with an incsription? Carter may be able to read the back of the grip. Nice find. -d

26th August 2005, 09:55 PM	#4
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Based on the shape of the grip my guess would be the Najran area of Saudi Arabia.

27th August 2005, 08:12 PM	#5
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thank you so much for the precious info. It would still be great to figure out the meaning of the arab engraving on the grip. I would be so much obliged for help in this area.

28th August 2005, 11:41 AM	#7
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thanks a lot, Aqtai. I will try and take a clearer picture of the last word, then i will request your kind help again. Maybe this last part is the family name, either from the owner or the maker ?! This would be rather interesting to know. Thanks again