ID needed ..your opinion sought????

Steve · 28th May 2010, 06:35 AM

Hi guys,

I'd like you to have a look at this and give me your opinion regarding where it came from, age etc. It looks African or near Africa to me.
The writing on the side of the silver handle looks familiar but I can't place it.
No scabbard. Found in the middle east is all I know.
All thoughts appreciated.
Thanks, Steve

Jim McDougall · 28th May 2010, 01:56 PM

Reasonable interpretation of an ancient Egyptian dagger, Berber Tifinaugh alphabet.

katana · 28th May 2010, 03:42 PM

I'm wondering whether this is a re-worked curved sword blade.

Bryan.H · 29th May 2010, 12:33 AM

Hi Steve, the dagger looks Tuareg to me, the brass handle is similar to some arm daggers I have seen.

Jim McDougall · 29th May 2010, 03:30 AM

mid rib is interesting. I think Tuaregs used Tifinagh.

Steve · 29th May 2010, 07:57 AM

Guys, thanks for the input,

Jim, the Tifinaugh writing, or its equivalent, looks about right. What about the central ribbed blade. Is this a Taureg style of blade?
It also doesn't seem to have the careful symmetry and multiuse of metals that Taureg knives usually have?
Steve

Steve · 29th May 2010, 08:39 AM

As a further to my comments. The written symbols , I think, actually belong to the old South Arabian alphabet which developed into the ge'ez script in Ethiopia and arabic in Yemen.
With the ribbed blade, it looks like it could come from the Ethiopian/Yemen area and be quite old? Any thoughts?
Steve

Bryan.H · 30th May 2010, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

As a further to my comments. The written symbols , I think, actually belong to the old South Arabian alphabet which developed into the ge'ez script in Ethiopia and arabic in Yemen.
With the ribbed blade, it looks like it could come from the Ethiopian/Yemen area and be quite old? Any thoughts?
Steve

The ridged blade is reminiscent of wahabite arab daggers and short swords..that would tie in with your analysis of the script.

28th May 2010, 06:35 AM	#1
Steve Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 58	ID needed ..your opinion sought???? Hi guys, I'd like you to have a look at this and give me your opinion regarding where it came from, age etc. It looks African or near Africa to me. The writing on the side of the silver handle looks familiar but I can't place it. No scabbard. Found in the middle east is all I know. All thoughts appreciated. Thanks, Steve Attached Images

28th May 2010, 01:56 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,738	Reasonable interpretation of an ancient Egyptian dagger, Berber Tifinaugh alphabet.

28th May 2010, 03:42 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	I'm wondering whether this is a re-worked curved sword blade.

29th May 2010, 12:33 AM	#4
Bryan.H Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 51	Hi Steve, the dagger looks Tuareg to me, the brass handle is similar to some arm daggers I have seen.

29th May 2010, 03:30 AM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,738	mid rib is interesting. I think Tuaregs used Tifinagh.

29th May 2010, 07:57 AM	#6
Steve Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 58	Guys, thanks for the input, Jim, the Tifinaugh writing, or its equivalent, looks about right. What about the central ribbed blade. Is this a Taureg style of blade? It also doesn't seem to have the careful symmetry and multiuse of metals that Taureg knives usually have? Steve

29th May 2010, 08:39 AM	#7
Steve Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 58	As a further to my comments. The written symbols , I think, actually belong to the old South Arabian alphabet which developed into the ge'ez script in Ethiopia and arabic in Yemen. With the ribbed blade, it looks like it could come from the Ethiopian/Yemen area and be quite old? Any thoughts? Steve