What is this?

Tim Simmons · 26th June 2008, 07:10 AM

I also got the feeling that the handle is actually ivory? The scabbard pictures are poor but I thought the leather did look used to some degree. I was more taken by the strange mix of styles. It appears well made. To me the blade does look new western art/fantasy work. Perhaps it is? just well done. I am wondering about the silver ring at the top of the handle. I have seen this style before on carving knives. I hate to say an item is a construct or rehilted or what ever, but in this case I really do think this is a construction of found bits. I think the scabbard is the only real ethnographic {in our sense of the word} weapon part and has some age perhaps Balkan? I am sure one could search the archive and find the origin.

Montino Bourbon · 26th June 2008, 10:05 AM

and the damascus looks like totally modern Indian work.

katana · 26th June 2008, 10:40 AM

Saw this on eBay too, as many have said...seems new, have to agree blade is modern, probably Indian. (there is alot of this type of 'Bird's eye' patterned blades for sale from India)

Surely 19th C ivory would have alot more patina and age colouration...and the handle design is highly impractical ... smooth surfaced with a taper towards the pommel end is not conducive to a 'secure' grip, especially with a relatively heavy blade

Regards David

Rick · 26th June 2008, 03:25 PM

I guess I need new glasses .

katana · 26th June 2008, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

I guess I need new glasses .

You and Me...both

.........I hadn't noticed the possibility of Ivory either

Tim Simmons · 26th June 2008, 08:25 PM

I have a feeling this is a WW2 Indian fighting knife presentation piece. I have a war time kukri just as pristine with slight wear to the scabbard. These are pics of Indian made ww2 fighting knives from "Ron Flook's British and commonwealth fighting knives" I am sure we are all familiar with presentation kukri and Fairbairn-Sykes commando knives. I think this is in that genre and as such a jolly good thing, if you like that sort of thing that is.

Tim Simmons · 26th June 2008, 09:18 PM

That last idea would have been fine if this piece was not over twice the size of a commando knife. It is easy to get hold of a used scabbard and ivory for that matter. I have three ivory crocs which could be used to make handles from. It is all a bit fishy and I think was best left alone. As did others

.

26th June 2008, 07:10 AM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,844	I also got the feeling that the handle is actually ivory? The scabbard pictures are poor but I thought the leather did look used to some degree. I was more taken by the strange mix of styles. It appears well made. To me the blade does look new western art/fantasy work. Perhaps it is? just well done. I am wondering about the silver ring at the top of the handle. I have seen this style before on carving knives. I hate to say an item is a construct or rehilted or what ever, but in this case I really do think this is a construction of found bits. I think the scabbard is the only real ethnographic {in our sense of the word} weapon part and has some age perhaps Balkan? I am sure one could search the archive and find the origin. Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; 26th June 2008 at 07:30 AM.

26th June 2008, 10:05 AM	#2
Montino Bourbon Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 301	I find the proportions 'incorrect' and the damascus looks like totally modern Indian work.

26th June 2008, 08:25 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,844	I have a feeling this is a WW2 Indian fighting knife presentation piece. I have a war time kukri just as pristine with slight wear to the scabbard. These are pics of Indian made ww2 fighting knives from "Ron Flook's British and commonwealth fighting knives" I am sure we are all familiar with presentation kukri and Fairbairn-Sykes commando knives. I think this is in that genre and as such a jolly good thing, if you like that sort of thing that is. Attached Images

26th June 2008, 10:40 AM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Saw this on eBay too, as many have said...seems new, have to agree blade is modern, probably Indian. (there is alot of this type of 'Bird's eye' patterned blades for sale from India) Surely 19th C ivory would have alot more patina and age colouration...and the handle design is highly impractical ... smooth surfaced with a taper towards the pommel end is not conducive to a 'secure' grip, especially with a relatively heavy blade Regards David

26th June 2008, 03:25 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	I guess I need new glasses .

26th June 2008, 09:18 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,844	That last idea would have been fine if this piece was not over twice the size of a commando knife. It is easy to get hold of a used scabbard and ivory for that matter. I have three ivory crocs which could be used to make handles from. It is all a bit fishy and I think was best left alone. As did others .