Kindjal: need help

ariel · 17th June 2006, 08:48 PM

This is a very simple kindjal that came from Georgia.
It has copper wire around the horn handle ant the bottom of the scabbard.
The fittings are also simple: brass.
The upper fitting has a date 1941.
There is an inscription on the blade (brass inlay) with a date 1328, ie 1910 Gregorian.
Questions:
-Can anybody read the inscription?
- How come 1941? During the Soviet regime manufacture and ownership of weapons (bladed as well!) was strictly forbidden. There were some decorative things done, but only for Party officials or dignitaries, and those were lavish! This one is a "peasant quality". If the entire scabbard/handle set was made for an old blade, how come the master was not afraid break the law?
- Also, the scabbard looks contemporary with the blade and made for it. Why 2 different dates?
_ Any other examples of "wiring' the handle and when?
_ Do decoration motives (shallow incisions) ring a bell re. origin?

Zifir · 18th June 2006, 11:35 PM

Hi ariel,
do you have better picture of the script part?
The second line start with ('amal-i) but i cannot read the rest.

ariel · 19th June 2006, 03:48 AM

It is incredibly difficult to photograph due to uneven surface, semi-obliterated and very faint inlay lines etc.
The best I could do was to copy it faithfully.Please give it a try.

Zifir · 19th June 2006, 01:48 PM

Sorry, I cannot make anything out of it. Now I am even doubtful about the 'amal part. But to make things more complicated (or easier) the date on the blade seems to me 1367 (1947-48).

17th June 2006, 08:48 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Kindjal: need help This is a very simple kindjal that came from Georgia. It has copper wire around the horn handle ant the bottom of the scabbard. The fittings are also simple: brass. The upper fitting has a date 1941. There is an inscription on the blade (brass inlay) with a date 1328, ie 1910 Gregorian. Questions: -Can anybody read the inscription? - How come 1941? During the Soviet regime manufacture and ownership of weapons (bladed as well!) was strictly forbidden. There were some decorative things done, but only for Party officials or dignitaries, and those were lavish! This one is a "peasant quality". If the entire scabbard/handle set was made for an old blade, how come the master was not afraid break the law? - Also, the scabbard looks contemporary with the blade and made for it. Why 2 different dates? _ Any other examples of "wiring' the handle and when? _ Do decoration motives (shallow incisions) ring a bell re. origin? Attached Images

19th June 2006, 03:48 AM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	It is incredibly difficult to photograph due to uneven surface, semi-obliterated and very faint inlay lines etc. The best I could do was to copy it faithfully.Please give it a try. Attached Images

18th June 2006, 11:35 PM	#2
Zifir Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Istanbul Posts: 228	Hi ariel, do you have better picture of the script part? The second line start with ('amal-i) but i cannot read the rest.

19th June 2006, 01:48 PM	#4
Zifir Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Istanbul Posts: 228	Sorry, I cannot make anything out of it. Now I am even doubtful about the 'amal part. But to make things more complicated (or easier) the date on the blade seems to me 1367 (1947-48).