Indian dagger?

Atlantia · 30th January 2009, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

This picture shows why at first thought I Afghanistan. I cannot enlarge it any more as it breaks up more. The row of triangle at the forte and bolster have some similarity to Afghan and North Indian work.

Yup, that was my thoughts too Tim.
I thought initially it might be as far west as eastern Europe but in the end the metalwork made me think it must be Afghan or a closely related 'stan' (as Jim says).
In any event I think you got a bargain and I think it just goes to show that if an item ends at an inconvienient time of day then a lot of potential buyers will miss it and a bargain can be had!
Well done!
I also think a close inspection and possible etching of the blade would be a good idea and I'm expecting a whole thread full of bragging pictures when it arrives

Tim Simmons · 5th February 2009, 08:18 PM

Arrived today and cleaned of rust. Very interesting knife. No fancy steel, there is layering but that is just incidental to forging a hard blade. One might at first dismiss it as a little rough. That is untill, in my opinion one looks at the clay like malleablitiy of the metal. I like the way without any apparent hesitation the blade bolster and tang have all been formed in what appears an instant and the decoration follows on so confidently and naturally. I grant you that it is relativly simple in that it is not labourious, constructed, worked by many hands, but to me that is the essence of skill at the forge? Blade 22cm long, Bovine horn judging by the 3mm lamination bands looking inside the cloven parts. The scabbard is wood held together by a gut ring at the opening and whipped and resined grass like material at the other end. My pictures are not that helpful taken indoors but its all a bit damp and wet outside at the moment. Reminds me of African work. I wonder if it may have come from nomads on what was Persian/Afghan border? It does have a simple beauty?

Lew · 5th February 2009, 08:37 PM

Tim

You did a great clean up job on the dagger. Looks like a village black smith piece very neat piece I like it

Maybe Uzbek or one of the other Stans as Jim stated?

Lew

5th February 2009, 08:18 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,876	Arrived today and cleaned of rust. Very interesting knife. No fancy steel, there is layering but that is just incidental to forging a hard blade. One might at first dismiss it as a little rough. That is untill, in my opinion one looks at the clay like malleablitiy of the metal. I like the way without any apparent hesitation the blade bolster and tang have all been formed in what appears an instant and the decoration follows on so confidently and naturally. I grant you that it is relativly simple in that it is not labourious, constructed, worked by many hands, but to me that is the essence of skill at the forge? Blade 22cm long, Bovine horn judging by the 3mm lamination bands looking inside the cloven parts. The scabbard is wood held together by a gut ring at the opening and whipped and resined grass like material at the other end. My pictures are not that helpful taken indoors but its all a bit damp and wet outside at the moment. Reminds me of African work. I wonder if it may have come from nomads on what was Persian/Afghan border? It does have a simple beauty? Attached Images

5th February 2009, 08:37 PM	#3
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Tim You did a great clean up job on the dagger. Looks like a village black smith piece very neat piece I like it Maybe Uzbek or one of the other Stans as Jim stated? Lew Last edited by LOUIEBLADES; 5th February 2009 at 09:42 PM.