Help with translation and ID

[kronckew]

mine also has a small but comfortable 4 in. grip, but a plain leather sheath & small belt, tho the scabbard is lined with red felt and the belt lined with white felt. it has brass banding across the front of the grip and sheet brass covering the back. no stars or inscriptions on the sharpened 7 in. blade.

[harrywagner]

Originally Posted by kronckew

mine also has a small but comfortable 4 in. grip, but a plain leather sheath & small belt, tho the scabbard is lined with red felt and the belt lined with white felt. it has brass banding across the front of the grip and sheet brass covering the back. no stars or inscriptions on the sharpened 7 in. blade.

That is a good looking antique. From the Sa'Da region I think. Early 20th? The metal backing on the hilt is not uncommon for this area. You see them in brass and silver, some engraved, some plain.

I have a Jambiya with a hilt decoration very similar to yours, although not nearly as nice.

Harry

[kahnjar1]

Hi Harry, Not sure about that hilt being rhino as the end of the rhino hilts usually shows the typical "orange peel" texture. Your one does not appear to show this.....

[harrywagner]

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

Hi Harry, Not sure about that hilt being rhino as the end of the rhino hilts usually shows the typical "orange peel" texture. Your one does not appear to show this.....

Not always. It depends on which part of the horn was used and how it was oriented on the hilt. There is a post on this forum that does a great job of telling you how to identify rhino. Here are the best photos I can provide. I've also included photos of the hilt of another knife that I know is rhino. I am convinced they both are. Same goes for the little one that is the subject of this post. That being said I will be the first to admit that I have been wrong before.

Harry

[Gavin Nugent]

Interesting knives but nothing Rhino about these.

Gavin

[harrywagner]

Originally Posted by Gavin Nugent

Interesting knives but nothing Rhino about these.

Gavin

Holy smokes! I could not be more surprised. I wonder now if I have ever handled a rhino horn hilt. I was sure these were. Thanks to you and Stu for setting me straight.

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by harrywagner

Not always. It depends on which part of the horn was used and how it was oriented on the hilt. There is a post on this forum that does a great job of telling you how to identify rhino. Here are the best photos I can provide. I've also included photos of the hilt of another knife that I know is rhino. I am convinced they both are. Same goes for the little one that is the subject of this post. That being said I will be the first to admit that I have been wrong before.

Harry

I have my doubts that your comment re orientation is actually true. Rhino horn is in fact not true horn at all but is made of keratin and is fibrous. Orientation to maintain strength would need to be WITH the grain and not across it. See GOOGLE for KERATIN information.
If I am wrong in my comments I stand corrected, but I am sure that (maybe) GAVIN will confirm my comment.
Stu