Moroccan Jambiya? Odd markings

archer · 4th July 2012, 10:16 PM

When this jambiya arrived it had two quality stamps first a small goose or swan and instead of the usual Rams Head there was an odd mark. Macro photos didn't help ID it. Depending how it is rotated other images come to mind, bull /cow, a leopard, or a different style rams head. I found it hard to research being unable to Id the animal the Swan is a mark used in French silver. Some accounts say it's a import mark, others a quality marking. Given that, then the bull /cow image is likely to be their Boar marking.

Does anyone know of other French stamped silver weapons ? Moroccan? Any Idea as to age? Could it have been Moroccan made and just imported? The sheath is 3/4 pound, total weight 1 1/2 pounds.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 6th July 2012, 07:18 PM

Salaams Archer ~ Looks like you have nailed it as the swan not only that but a superb list of stamps to boot ! To me ... I'm no specialist in Moroccan weapons... the quality looks over and above what I normally see from there.. to that end it could be a French maker (Franco Jewish?)(Jewish Moroccan) either in Morocco or outside... I dont know. The work looks excellent and once again with the stamps/hallmarks nice work by you in presentation.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Henk · 6th July 2012, 07:21 PM

Wow, never seen such an excellent example. What a beauty!!!! Congrats!!!

David R · 6th July 2012, 10:38 PM

Silver mounts are nice, but the blade, that is a beauty! How different to the usual flat steel with a champfer.

archer · 10th July 2012, 05:25 PM

Thank you all for your comments. I contacted the seller in Greece, he confirms
having acquired it if Paris a few years back. So the goose imported stamp is correct. I will continue to try and figure out what the image on the second stamp represents. I was hoping other Moroccan items with this stamp were in
our collecting community. Steve

NovelsRus · 10th July 2012, 09:09 PM

Hi, Archer,

I gotta say, that is definitely the koolest koummya I've seen in a while. That blade is incredible, and the stamps are a real treat for a serious collector like yourself. Congrats on finding this!

Cheers,

JRF

archer · 13th July 2012, 04:53 PM

Looks like it is a Bulls Head marking. Strange we don't see more of them. Slightly differing Cartouhe shapes between Fez and Marrakesh. This is the first bull hallmark I've gotten. I have a few that have coins imbedded. I'm told they represent dates. Others, seem to have coin like markings in the design. can anyone shed any light how they represent silver quality?
Thank you all for your comments and interest. Steve

4th July 2012, 10:16 PM	#1
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	Moroccan Jambiya? Odd markings When this jambiya arrived it had two quality stamps first a small goose or swan and instead of the usual Rams Head there was an odd mark. Macro photos didn't help ID it. Depending how it is rotated other images come to mind, bull /cow, a leopard, or a different style rams head. I found it hard to research being unable to Id the animal the Swan is a mark used in French silver. Some accounts say it's a import mark, others a quality marking. Given that, then the bull /cow image is likely to be their Boar marking. Does anyone know of other French stamped silver weapons ? Moroccan? Any Idea as to age? Could it have been Moroccan made and just imported? The sheath is 3/4 pound, total weight 1 1/2 pounds. Attached Images Last edited by archer; 5th July 2012 at 01:22 AM. Reason: Add correct photo

10th July 2012, 05:25 PM	#5
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	More Information Thank you all for your comments. I contacted the seller in Greece, he confirms having acquired it if Paris a few years back. So the goose imported stamp is correct. I will continue to try and figure out what the image on the second stamp represents. I was hoping other Moroccan items with this stamp were in our collecting community. Steve

10th July 2012, 09:09 PM	#6
NovelsRus Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 41	Koolest Koummya Online Hi, Archer, I gotta say, that is definitely the koolest koummya I've seen in a while. That blade is incredible, and the stamps are a real treat for a serious collector like yourself. Congrats on finding this! Cheers, JRF

13th July 2012, 04:53 PM	#7
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	Hallmark Update Looks like it is a Bulls Head marking. Strange we don't see more of them. Slightly differing Cartouhe shapes between Fez and Marrakesh. This is the first bull hallmark I've gotten. I have a few that have coins imbedded. I'm told they represent dates. Others, seem to have coin like markings in the design. can anyone shed any light how they represent silver quality? Thank you all for your comments and interest. Steve Attached Images

6th July 2012, 07:18 PM	#2
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Salaams Archer ~ Looks like you have nailed it as the swan not only that but a superb list of stamps to boot ! To me ... I'm no specialist in Moroccan weapons... the quality looks over and above what I normally see from there.. to that end it could be a French maker (Franco Jewish?)(Jewish Moroccan) either in Morocco or outside... I dont know. The work looks excellent and once again with the stamps/hallmarks nice work by you in presentation. Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

6th July 2012, 07:21 PM	#3
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Wow, never seen such an excellent example. What a beauty!!!! Congrats!!!

6th July 2012, 10:38 PM	#4
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,052	Silver mounts are nice, but the blade, that is a beauty! How different to the usual flat steel with a champfer.