Kindjal

erlikhan · 12th February 2006, 05:41 PM

A short kindjal with bone hilt and a razor sharp blade. Dated 1894 and a figure chiselled. Maker stamped. Anybody recognizes the figure or the stamp?? I guess, from Caucassia? Less possiblility but can be from Turkey?

regards

ariel · 12th February 2006, 05:56 PM

The decorative arabesque on the blade looks very Greek to me.

eftihis · 13th February 2006, 06:47 PM

I agree with Ariel. Not Caucasian for sure. Somewhere from the Balkans, could be from North Greece.

us_milcoll · 13th February 2006, 07:22 PM

If it helps I have a Khyber (probably a cut-down yataghan) that has nearly identical markings...but dated to 1805. Mine came from a gentleman that thought it was from the region bordering the Black Sea. But then my example also bears an anchor on the blade...that may have something to do with it.

ariel · 14th February 2006, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by us_milcoll

If it helps I have a Khyber (probably a cut-down yataghan) that has nearly identical markings...but dated to 1805. Mine came from a gentleman that thought it was from the region bordering the Black Sea. But then my example also bears an anchor on the blade...that may have something to do with it.

Can we see pictures?

us_milcoll · 14th February 2006, 04:44 AM

Yes, I will take some photos of it and get it up here as soon as I can...

erlikhan · 15th February 2006, 09:33 PM

Thank you for all the info. I tend to turn to the direction which eftihis shows,as he will guess better if an arm comes from his own country or not. I wonder if anybody knows any links or pictures available for Greek kindjal samples of the period?

regards

us_milcoll · 17th March 2006, 05:58 AM

First off my apologies for the long delay in posting this...some jobs can be a real pain at times.

This knife measures just over 22-inches, in length damage appears to be period. Markings are on the damaged side.

If the pictures of the markings are not sufficient let me know and I will try scanning better ones.

Oh, and being so long since I looked at this in hand...I see the date is 1809.

ariel · 17th March 2006, 12:07 PM

This is not Khyber: nothing Afghani here.
Greek dagger with a Yataghan-like handle. The date is 1800? Still under Ottoman rule. Looks almost military or, more likely, naval style, as based on the anchor.

Yannis · 17th March 2006, 03:09 PM

Ariel, I agree with your opinion about Greek origin and naval motives. I cannot read the date but 1800 is too early for the style of decoration on the blade. I would say end of 19th century like the other knife. The scabbard is more recent. Also I have the sister of the other knife in my hands.

12th February 2006, 05:41 PM	#1
erlikhan Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Istanbul Posts: 452	Kindjal A short kindjal with bone hilt and a razor sharp blade. Dated 1894 and a figure chiselled. Maker stamped. Anybody recognizes the figure or the stamp?? I guess, from Caucassia? Less possiblility but can be from Turkey? regards Attached Images

17th March 2006, 03:09 PM	#10
Yannis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Athens Greece Posts: 479	Ariel, I agree with your opinion about Greek origin and naval motives. I cannot read the date but 1800 is too early for the style of decoration on the blade. I would say end of 19th century like the other knife. The scabbard is more recent. Also I have the sister of the other knife in my hands. Attached Images

12th February 2006, 05:56 PM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	The decorative arabesque on the blade looks very Greek to me.

13th February 2006, 06:47 PM	#3
eftihis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chania Crete Greece Posts: 500	I agree with Ariel. Not Caucasian for sure. Somewhere from the Balkans, could be from North Greece.

13th February 2006, 07:22 PM	#4
us_milcoll Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 9	If it helps I have a Khyber (probably a cut-down yataghan) that has nearly identical markings...but dated to 1805. Mine came from a gentleman that thought it was from the region bordering the Black Sea. But then my example also bears an anchor on the blade...that may have something to do with it.

14th February 2006, 04:44 AM	#6
us_milcoll Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 9	Yes, I will take some photos of it and get it up here as soon as I can...

15th February 2006, 09:33 PM	#7
erlikhan Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Istanbul Posts: 452	Thank you for all the info. I tend to turn to the direction which eftihis shows,as he will guess better if an arm comes from his own country or not. I wonder if anybody knows any links or pictures available for Greek kindjal samples of the period? regards

17th March 2006, 05:58 AM	#8
us_milcoll Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 9	First off my apologies for the long delay in posting this...some jobs can be a real pain at times. This knife measures just over 22-inches, in length damage appears to be period. Markings are on the damaged side. If the pictures of the markings are not sufficient let me know and I will try scanning better ones. Oh, and being so long since I looked at this in hand...I see the date is 1809.

17th March 2006, 12:07 PM	#9
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	This is not Khyber: nothing Afghani here. Greek dagger with a Yataghan-like handle. The date is 1800? Still under Ottoman rule. Looks almost military or, more likely, naval style, as based on the anchor.