Qama - purposely bent grip ?

Martin Lubojacky · 27th November 2016, 01:00 PM

Thanks Kubur, I was of this opinion, too.
Could you try to allocate such type of qama ?
Martin

Oliver Pinchot · 27th November 2016, 08:21 PM

I've seen a number of daggers of this type (kindjal, qama, etc.) with the hilt offset in one plane or the other. It likely assisted in wearing the dagger flush to the body or in gripping. The jeweled example in the photo, however, just appears to be loose or bent over.

Jim McDougall · 27th November 2016, 09:08 PM

I am reminded of the Caucasian 'skirted' shashkas which have their hilts deeply canted in this fashion. It has been some time so cannot recall exact classification on these, and it seems that it was suggested then, just as Martin has noted, that perhaps this might have some effect on force to cut.

While I remain unclear on those dynamics, Olivers suggestion on this character assisting in wearing or grip seems plausible. Totally agree on the green jeweled example, the hilt appears bent over as noted.

ariel · 27th November 2016, 10:47 PM

I think that the hilt on the green one is perfectly straight, but the tang was inserted a bit crookedly. Look at the distance between the straight lines of the inscription and the base of the handle.

The original one sustained a bad blow at the base of the handle. That might have displaced the alignment. BTW, this one is very old, might be even 18 century ( see Miller's book of the Hermitage collection).

There were Caucasian kindjals with single-piece walrus handles bent toward the body. Some say it was made deliberately, to keep the handle closer to the body and prevent it from catching on something. I think that was just a natural curvature of the tusk.

Martin Lubojacky · 28th November 2016, 05:09 PM

Thank you all for interesting comments. Now I think it could be 50:50. Either "bad blow", or deliberately offset hilt as Oliver writes (or both).
Best,
Martin

kronckew · 28th November 2016, 06:37 PM

i would think the maker would have fitted the knife to the scabbard a bit better on the bejewelled one at least, if he's intended it to be at that angle, rather than leave that unsightly wedge shaped gap.

another thought, how is the tang held in the grip? if a thermal cutlers cement was used, high desert heat &/or sun may have softened the resin allowing the movement, which then hardened in more amenable temperatures.

stelio · 30th November 2016, 04:34 PM

A similar qama 70 cm with grip rhinos and gold graphics and trees in blade.

ariel · 2nd December 2016, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

another thought, how is the tang held in the grip? if a thermal cutlers cement was used, high desert heat &/or sun may have softened the resin allowing the movement, which then hardened in more amenable temperatures.

That would be possible only with single-piece handles that necessarily used some kind of cement.

But this one uses rivets. Those do not melt :-)

30th November 2016, 04:34 PM	#7
stelio Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 97	A similar qama 70 cm with grip rhinos and gold graphics and trees in blade. Attached Images

27th November 2016, 01:00 PM	#1
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	Thanks Kubur, I was of this opinion, too. Could you try to allocate such type of qama ? Martin

27th November 2016, 08:21 PM	#2
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 464	I've seen a number of daggers of this type (kindjal, qama, etc.) with the hilt offset in one plane or the other. It likely assisted in wearing the dagger flush to the body or in gripping. The jeweled example in the photo, however, just appears to be loose or bent over.

27th November 2016, 09:08 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,193	I am reminded of the Caucasian 'skirted' shashkas which have their hilts deeply canted in this fashion. It has been some time so cannot recall exact classification on these, and it seems that it was suggested then, just as Martin has noted, that perhaps this might have some effect on force to cut. While I remain unclear on those dynamics, Olivers suggestion on this character assisting in wearing or grip seems plausible. Totally agree on the green jeweled example, the hilt appears bent over as noted.

27th November 2016, 10:47 PM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I think that the hilt on the green one is perfectly straight, but the tang was inserted a bit crookedly. Look at the distance between the straight lines of the inscription and the base of the handle. The original one sustained a bad blow at the base of the handle. That might have displaced the alignment. BTW, this one is very old, might be even 18 century ( see Miller's book of the Hermitage collection). There were Caucasian kindjals with single-piece walrus handles bent toward the body. Some say it was made deliberately, to keep the handle closer to the body and prevent it from catching on something. I think that was just a natural curvature of the tusk.

28th November 2016, 05:09 PM	#5
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	Thank you all for interesting comments. Now I think it could be 50:50. Either "bad blow", or deliberately offset hilt as Oliver writes (or both). Best, Martin

28th November 2016, 06:37 PM	#6
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	i would think the maker would have fitted the knife to the scabbard a bit better on the bejewelled one at least, if he's intended it to be at that angle, rather than leave that unsightly wedge shaped gap. another thought, how is the tang held in the grip? if a thermal cutlers cement was used, high desert heat &/or sun may have softened the resin allowing the movement, which then hardened in more amenable temperatures.