Old Knife Info...Please
 

Hello,
I'm trying to find some info on an old knife I have. All I know is that its made of silver and has no markings on it.
Thanks for any help...
Tom

It looks like turkish. But your photos are not good enough to say if it is recent or ottoman piece.

With the green patina in places I would say use of brass or white brass. Possibly some silver filigree, but I have my doubts. May be silver wash on brass.

Ditto that, but it doesn't address age or anything, mind you; I'm with Yannis; any chance of a better close-up (they're already better photos than I can make....)

I will try to take better pics...and post them asap

This is definitely a dagger from Montenegro, i am quite sure about it, the hilt is typical.

Eftihis, so this is not the soughtafter Kritis bitchaq ? Still lounging for one (not that that I know who has one ...) but just asking ...
And yes, under Ottoman influence in Balkans many, many [I]bitchaq[/I]`s like this were produced by ateliers in Montenegro

:D :D :D :D :D :D

Mr. Yannis, stop doing that you make me feel like I am evil... Eftihis, dont listen to him, I was sincere, he is a twisted man... :o

Seriously now. :)

It could be a Montenegro dagger. Eftihis has a good library on balkan area books. But I still need better pictures.

Hallo all, I have seen this particular pattern of handle decoration in a dagger described as "Montenegrin" in the good and accurate German dagger book of Herman Historica.
I am not near my books at the moment, i will scan the page and post a photo when i will!
In a way it is also "turkish" since it was made in a place belonged to the ottoman empire at that time, and the "original prototype" was a turkish bichaq dagger, that just took its local style and appearance.
This can be purely accidental, ie just a smith or silverworker that works in a particular style, people like what he makes, he has some students that continue this style, and this way a local variation or "school" is made.
The same is happening with Cretan daggers, and what make them special to me is that i am from Crete and they were made on my island.
Radu, thanks for understanding my feelings, be sure i wil be looking for something for you from Rumanian past.
Yiannis (by the way, nice teeth!), i will have something for you so that you will stop complaining... (maybe we will have some raki first though, so that it will look more beautifull!)

NEW PICs
 

Here are some new pics....
Thanks for all your help guys...
Tom

What characteristic features define it as Montenegrin?

fjava
This knife is more interesting in close photos. 19th century ottoman/balkan artwork! Silver with copper. The hilt it is far more important from my first thought. The scabbard is lower artwork.

You have to clean it a little. Some baking soda with little water and a toothbrush will do it shiny in few minutes. Dry it well after. Also the blade would appreciate some oil.

I will wait Eftihis to post a photo of Montenegro knife to compare, but I assume he is right.

Here is the photo
 

Here is the reference, that describes it as from Montenegro. I cannot read the German text, so if someone can it would be nice to read the full text.

Just a simple translation of the text:

3.
Embellishment knife – Montenegro. Graceful piece, haft fully covered with filigree of silver, it ends again with the “bone” of the orient. Plain straight knife blade with punch ornaments. Shaft wrapper covered as well with filigree of silver. Scabbard is hasty and slovenly embossed silver (?) sheet, it ends in an animal head – certainly subsequently made as a substitute. (acquired directly from a farmer in Montenegro)

A match down to the sheath :) Ah, the bone of the Orient...........

...must be a wishbone! Wish I would own such a beautiful kife.... :D

Thank you everyone for all your help...