Old syrian (Golan) Jambiya/Khanjar.

motan · 18th September 2016, 02:49 PM

Hi Athanase,
Your dagger is a beatiful and early example of this type with few unusual features. As for the date, it is almost certainly 1325 -1907. The second digit is unclear, but the earliest examples I know of of this style are from around 1900 or a little earlier and earliest examples are a little different. So the second digit must be 3, not 2. The third digit is 2.
Other style elements, especially the scabbard and scabbard tip indicate Ottoman era. This style of sheath is uncommon and it appears that the sheet of copper alloy that covers the wood is thicker that in later examples. The blade type is also unusual and I have not seen this kind of decoration on a Majdaly blade. I like the use of red inserts, which should be Mediterranean red coral.
So very good and unique example of this type.

18th September 2016, 02:49 PM	#7
motan Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Jerusalem Posts: 274	Nice old Majdalu Hi Athanase, Your dagger is a beatiful and early example of this type with few unusual features. As for the date, it is almost certainly 1325 -1907. The second digit is unclear, but the earliest examples I know of of this style are from around 1900 or a little earlier and earliest examples are a little different. So the second digit must be 3, not 2. The third digit is 2. Other style elements, especially the scabbard and scabbard tip indicate Ottoman era. This style of sheath is uncommon and it appears that the sheet of copper alloy that covers the wood is thicker that in later examples. The blade type is also unusual and I have not seen this kind of decoration on a Majdaly blade. I like the use of red inserts, which should be Mediterranean red coral. So very good and unique example of this type.