Turkish/Kurdish... or else?

ALEX · 16th May 2007, 06:29 AM

This is claimed to be a 100/150 y/o Turkish Ottoman dagger. Total length in scabbard is 15''. The fittings are silver with niello and some small gold inserts/decorations. However, looking closely at it I felt that the condition is somehow too good for old Ottoman dagger (unless it was either stored for 100 years or restored not long ago). The similar work/style can be seen on Kurdish and Caucasian fittings. The gold inserts show drawings of star and moon, and one on the handle has English letter "R". The niello writing is Arabic "Masha Allah" = "Prays to God".
Any comments guys?

16th May 2007, 06:29 AM	#1
ALEX Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 935	Turkish/Kurdish... or else? This is claimed to be a 100/150 y/o Turkish Ottoman dagger. Total length in scabbard is 15''. The fittings are silver with niello and some small gold inserts/decorations. However, looking closely at it I felt that the condition is somehow too good for old Ottoman dagger (unless it was either stored for 100 years or restored not long ago). The similar work/style can be seen on Kurdish and Caucasian fittings. The gold inserts show drawings of star and moon, and one on the handle has English letter "R". The niello writing is Arabic "Masha Allah" = "Prays to God". Any comments guys? Attached Images