Origin of the Kindjal?

Tatyana Dianova · 23rd June 2007, 08:36 PM

Thank you all for your replies and opinions! There is another interesting theory from Kirill Rivkin (I hope that he doesn't mind me quoting his message

):

"The decoration of the hilt is undoubtfully Balkan. The blade is of turkish, and as was noted, likely of Trabzonian origin. The crescents on the blade point to the end of XIXth century or early XXth century, the fullering is somewhat unusual for Trabzon pieces. Balkan kindjals often come in awfully different sizes, sometimes related to the national preferences, but often simply determined by the blade they've got their hands on."

TVV · 24th June 2007, 08:18 PM

Tatyana,
This is a picture of a kama display from the National Military History Museum in Sofia, Bulgaria. Note the similarity of the second kama from the bottom to your example, as far as the hilt is concerned. Therefore, I agree with Kirill's observation.
Regards,
Teodor

Valjhun · 25th June 2007, 02:42 PM

Going a little bit further, I would hazzard that Eastern Balkan precisely. Certainly not typical for bosnia, croatia, serbia or montenegro.

I also somewhat agree what janti said (about the blade) and I remember that I saw some typical trabzon knives and short swords with such type of decoration.

janti · 25th June 2007, 02:49 PM

Dear TVV , could you tell us whats writing under the kama's.
I think i saw somethink like kabardia
In Topkapi palace (museum ) you can find hundreds weapons whic belongs to difrent nationalites.

TVV · 26th June 2007, 03:27 AM

Janti,
As in almost all museums, the description is far too generic: "Kamas, Caucasian Type". This is the little cardboard label above the two bigger kamas, the small cardboard label right of the bottom small one says "Kama, Manufactured in Gabrovo".
I have attached a better picture of the kama in question, and also a picture of a much simpler example I have, which has similar hilt decoration - dots filled with pastes.
I wish the Museum of Military History in Sofia could compare to Askeri and Top Kapi.
Regards,
Teodor

26th June 2007, 03:27 AM	#5
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,666	Janti, As in almost all museums, the description is far too generic: "Kamas, Caucasian Type". This is the little cardboard label above the two bigger kamas, the small cardboard label right of the bottom small one says "Kama, Manufactured in Gabrovo". I have attached a better picture of the kama in question, and also a picture of a much simpler example I have, which has similar hilt decoration - dots filled with pastes. I wish the Museum of Military History in Sofia could compare to Askeri and Top Kapi. Regards, Teodor Attached Images

23rd June 2007, 08:36 PM	#1
Tatyana Dianova Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 737	Thank you all for your replies and opinions! There is another interesting theory from Kirill Rivkin (I hope that he doesn't mind me quoting his message ): "The decoration of the hilt is undoubtfully Balkan. The blade is of turkish, and as was noted, likely of Trabzonian origin. The crescents on the blade point to the end of XIXth century or early XXth century, the fullering is somewhat unusual for Trabzon pieces. Balkan kindjals often come in awfully different sizes, sometimes related to the national preferences, but often simply determined by the blade they've got their hands on."

24th June 2007, 08:18 PM	#2
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,666	Tatyana, This is a picture of a kama display from the National Military History Museum in Sofia, Bulgaria. Note the similarity of the second kama from the bottom to your example, as far as the hilt is concerned. Therefore, I agree with Kirill's observation. Regards, Teodor

25th June 2007, 02:42 PM	#3
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	Going a little bit further, I would hazzard that Eastern Balkan precisely. Certainly not typical for bosnia, croatia, serbia or montenegro. I also somewhat agree what janti said (about the blade) and I remember that I saw some typical trabzon knives and short swords with such type of decoration.

25th June 2007, 02:49 PM	#4
janti Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 8	Dear TVV , could you tell us whats writing under the kama's. I think i saw somethink like kabardia In Topkapi palace (museum ) you can find hundreds weapons whic belongs to difrent nationalites.