Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > Ethnographic Weapons

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 21st May 2020, 07:53 PM   #1
gp
Member
 
gp's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 636
Default 19th century (Serbian woman's) knife

Some time ago at an auction, my attention was drawn to a for me odd description "Two Balkan woman's daggers,".

To my knowledge of the Balkans, the ladies over there are in no need of a knive as their tongue is sharper then a yataghan and faster then an AK47 Kalashnikov.☺ and no...I have not been touchin' rakija ☼

Nevertheless I went for them and won. A third soon fell into my lap as well. This time it stated to be of Serbian origin...(?)

Next to their (women's) role in the Balkan society only a few exceptions existed ( a lady brigand in Hercegowina during the insurrection against the Ottomans and one strong Serbian Queen who got murdered) and it was not common that they carried weapons.



These 3 knives are for sure 19th century and from the Balkans and most likely from the former Yu region (perhaps Bulgaria ...?)

As for dimensions:

the small one

total length: 15 cm (with scabbard) - 13,7 cm (without)
blade: 7 cm
handle: 7 cm
Attached Images
       

Last edited by gp; 21st May 2020 at 08:39 PM.
gp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21st May 2020, 07:54 PM   #2
gp
Member
 
gp's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 636
Default

the middle one:

total length: 21 cm (with scabbard) - 20 cm (without)
blade: 11 cm
handle: 9 cm
Attached Images
        

Last edited by gp; 21st May 2020 at 08:29 PM.
gp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21st May 2020, 07:56 PM   #3
gp
Member
 
gp's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 636
Default

the top one:

total length: 23,5 cm (with scabbard) - 22,5 cm (without)
blade: 12 cm
handle: 10 cm
Attached Images
       

Last edited by gp; 21st May 2020 at 08:29 PM.
gp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21st May 2020, 08:41 PM   #4
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,408
Default

Have a look here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=balkan
Attached Images
 
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21st May 2020, 09:00 PM   #5
gp
Member
 
gp's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 636
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sajen
Thnx a lot / herzlichen Dank !

Indeed I see some common similarities with some Bulgarian ones, but unfortunately none with complete copper octagonal handles.
Perhaps that my 3 ones are a fancy version ?

Also the stamp / mark on the small one like an "M" is quite a rude mark compared to the nice (caligraphic) marks on other 2.

Last edited by gp; 22nd May 2020 at 01:57 PM.
gp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22nd May 2020, 02:33 PM   #6
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,408
Default

Hi GP,

You are welcome! You need to read the given thread, my both knives get identified from our member sfeonid13 as Laz knives, Black Sea region, see here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...1&postcount=10

The bigger one I've sold, the small one I still keep, it's a very well made and for it's size heavy knife.
Yours just have brass handles but the blade form and the engravings on the blade are the give-away IMVHO.

Best regards,
Detlef
Attached Images
 
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22nd May 2020, 05:18 PM   #7
gp
Member
 
gp's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 636
Default

Thnx again!

Question: what was the function of the smaller knives ?

Best regards

Gunar
gp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22nd May 2020, 06:01 PM   #8
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,408
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by gp
Question: what was the function of the smaller knives ?
Hi Gunar,

I just don't know and only can guess, a possible small side knife from a set like we know from other sets?
My one is really small and don't fall in a area of my interest but it's so good worked and nice that I decided to keep it.
Here it was shown again: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ight=miniature
There you can see how small it's indeed.

Regards,
Detlef
Attached Images
 
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22nd May 2020, 06:38 PM   #9
gp
Member
 
gp's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 636
Default

My first thought or better my guess was as mentioned in the strings of your link it also to be a piece of craftmanship based upon the traditional system from journeyman to master / geselle - meister / compagnon - maitre .
Especially when I am looking at the quality of the pieces.
But as I can not back that up by whatever proof it remains an open question to me. So thank you for your reply, making two of us not knowing

Best regards

Gunar

gp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25th May 2020, 04:27 PM   #10
gp
Member
 
gp's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 636
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by gp
So thank you for your reply, making two of us not knowing
Should be : Not knowing what the function of the small knives are...
gp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25th May 2020, 04:39 PM   #11
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,408
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by gp
Should be : Not knowing what the function of the small knives are...
I've understand what you mean!
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 03:28 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.