Another N. African (?) dagger

Ian · 19th November 2017, 03:28 AM

Guys, you were so much help to my friend that he sent pictures of another knife in his collection for which he would appreciate information about where it comes from and when it was made.

The symmetrical blade is double-edged coming to a sharp point and has four narrow fullers. The hilt is made from various materials and the yellow substance is very cold to the touch and smooth, like polished stone. Rings of horn appear to be inserted between sections of the main material. The scabbard is leather covering wood and the chape is brass.

OAL of knife = 12 in.

Ian

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Kubur · 19th November 2017, 04:32 AM

Hi Iain,

If the yellow is walrus ivory then I don't think it's African.
Maybe Turkish or Syrian???
I don't know...

Ian · 19th November 2017, 04:43 AM

Hi Kubur:

Thanks for the thoughts. The yellow does not look like any ivory I have seen before. As I mentioned, it is very cold to the touch. It's more like stone in texture. Could be old polished bone.

The stacked section of the hilt does not strike me as Turkish.

Ian.

motan · 19th November 2017, 06:00 PM

Hi Ian,
I agree with kubur. I think that this has "made in Syria" written on it, even though I have no real evidence supporting this.
Kindjal/straight dagger variations is a favorite theme in Syria -most kindjal-like daggers that are not actually kindjals come from Syria.
The blade looks Middle Eastern, not African and the scabbard with brass mounting is definately more Ottoman or Syrian than African. The yellow/white part does look like walrus ivory which would make African origin very unlikely.
Strange, but nice find, with what looks like good quality blade.

Eytan

19th November 2017, 03:28 AM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,460	Another N. African (?) dagger Guys, you were so much help to my friend that he sent pictures of another knife in his collection for which he would appreciate information about where it comes from and when it was made. The symmetrical blade is double-edged coming to a sharp point and has four narrow fullers. The hilt is made from various materials and the yellow substance is very cold to the touch and smooth, like polished stone. Rings of horn appear to be inserted between sections of the main material. The scabbard is leather covering wood and the chape is brass. OAL of knife = 12 in. Ian . Attached Images

19th November 2017, 04:32 AM	#2
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Hi Iain, If the yellow is walrus ivory then I don't think it's African. Maybe Turkish or Syrian??? I don't know...

19th November 2017, 04:43 AM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,460	Hi Kubur: Thanks for the thoughts. The yellow does not look like any ivory I have seen before. As I mentioned, it is very cold to the touch. It's more like stone in texture. Could be old polished bone. The stacked section of the hilt does not strike me as Turkish. Ian.

19th November 2017, 06:00 PM	#4
motan Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Jerusalem Posts: 274	Hi Ian, I agree with kubur. I think that this has "made in Syria" written on it, even though I have no real evidence supporting this. Kindjal/straight dagger variations is a favorite theme in Syria -most kindjal-like daggers that are not actually kindjals come from Syria. The blade looks Middle Eastern, not African and the scabbard with brass mounting is definately more Ottoman or Syrian than African. The yellow/white part does look like walrus ivory which would make African origin very unlikely. Strange, but nice find, with what looks like good quality blade. Eytan