Early Khanjarli?

ariel · 30th May 2020, 07:29 PM

Replacement of grip plates is not only possible, but is quite likely: organic materials do not hold as long as metal parts.

Elgood, in his description of all-metal Indian daggers, specifically mentioned their indestructibility.

I have a khanjarli, also likely 17-18 century, with dried and shrunken bone grip and broken off fragments.

Some of the current Forumites, myself included, can also boast such “ kisses of time”:-)

ariel · 30th May 2020, 07:49 PM

The blade and knuckle guard of khanjarli and chillanum are virtually identical.
In fact, both are the same dagger with only ethnic difference in decoration, i.e. contour of the handle. We see the same principle in local varieties of tulwar handles, in pesh-kabz/ “karud”/ choora, S. Arabian vs. N. Arabian vs Persian shamshirs, Yemeni janbias etc, etc.

ariel · 30th May 2020, 11:44 PM

I would guess that's how a 17-18th century old khanjarli would look like by now.
The bony parts of the handle are deeply pigmented by are, sweat and dirt; I cannot even decide whether they are ivory or bone. Judging by the size of the pommel fragments, I could cautiously suggest ivory as the material.

Kubur · 31st May 2020, 10:06 AM

The last khanjarli posted is from the late 19th c. and it has bone grips.
I have something very similar too...

30th May 2020, 11:44 PM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I would guess that's how a 17-18th century old khanjarli would look like by now. The bony parts of the handle are deeply pigmented by are, sweat and dirt; I cannot even decide whether they are ivory or bone. Judging by the size of the pommel fragments, I could cautiously suggest ivory as the material. Attached Images

30th May 2020, 07:29 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Replacement of grip plates is not only possible, but is quite likely: organic materials do not hold as long as metal parts. Elgood, in his description of all-metal Indian daggers, specifically mentioned their indestructibility. I have a khanjarli, also likely 17-18 century, with dried and shrunken bone grip and broken off fragments. Some of the current Forumites, myself included, can also boast such “ kisses of time”:-)

30th May 2020, 07:49 PM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	The blade and knuckle guard of khanjarli and chillanum are virtually identical. In fact, both are the same dagger with only ethnic difference in decoration, i.e. contour of the handle. We see the same principle in local varieties of tulwar handles, in pesh-kabz/ “karud”/ choora, S. Arabian vs. N. Arabian vs Persian shamshirs, Yemeni janbias etc, etc.

31st May 2020, 10:06 AM	#4
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	The last khanjarli posted is from the late 19th c. and it has bone grips. I have something very similar too...