Well, first of all, until recently I did believe that I had quite a collection of damascus kindjals. Now I think that I don't, but some of them have nice etchings
. I can not be sure that kindjals I have seen were of XVI century; I've seen one dated sword that part of the signature in georgian, but again - could be some later fake, even through I doubt it. Since at the time I could not read arabic dates, I also have to take the owner's word concerning translation.
The stuff I've seen was very simple, no silver/niello, black horn, nicely laminated blades. The problem is that this all happened so many years ago and way before I started to research those things. I am trying to shake the ppls for pictures, but damn they lazy.
P.S. I have some sad news about "khevsurian" swords, like the set that Yannis had etc. There is a master that makes georgian "old" swords, he signs his works with one of the following: kharanauli in old georgian (that the sucker's name), or cross on top of a pyramid.
P.P.S. How do you look at the idea of furthering our contacts with some of the museums ? There is also at least a dozen collectors I heard of, but never got in touch with.