Kindjal, etching / origin assistance

Klop · 2nd August 2023, 02:22 PM

Dear members, just received this kindjal blade which has a worn etching near the base. Maybe someone is able to recognize the entire stamp (which is probably not unique) or the top word in the cartouche? Seems like "Znat...." Some stamps and number 35 are clearly visible. Any info on origin or age is highly appreciated!

total length is 46 cm

Kind regards,
Eric.

Gustav · 2nd August 2023, 03:18 PM

The mark on kindjal is of Zlatoust arms factory, but not the commonly seen one, in addition the tip with position of the grooves looks strange, as if the blade were shortened. Of course there are forgeries of Zlatoust weapons made - I am not able to say if this is the real thing or not.

Is there a mark on the other side of blade?

You can search for Zlatoust on forum.

https://pegasus-leaders.com/zlatoust-blade/

Gustav · 2nd August 2023, 07:37 PM

After some time I would say your example likely is the real thing.
The date could be 1880ties or 1890ties

Ren Ren · 3rd August 2023, 12:29 AM

This is a Cossack dagger produced by the Zlatoust Arms Factory (ЗЛАТОУСТЪ/Златоуст. Оружейная Фабрика). The blade is shortened, the shape is changed. I agree with Gustav on dating 1880-1890.
Daggers similar in shape were made at the beginning of the 20th century by order of the Cossack troops. On one side they have the abbreviation ЗОФ, on the other ККВ or ТКВ. It would be helpful to identify if you could show a photo of the back of your dagger.

Klop · 3rd August 2023, 07:19 PM

dear gents, thanks so much for the info. The combined knowledge here is great! I already suspected the tip was changed as the grooves are "running straight off" the blade instead of following the shape to the point. On the backside there is no etching or stamps at all. If there ever was etching I'd expect to see at least some remnants like on the front. There was a makeshift wooden handle all around the tang, i was pleased to discover a complete original tangshape underneath. Kind regards, Eric

Ren Ren · 4th August 2023, 03:24 AM

Cossacks for a long time preferred to order daggers from local craftsmen in the Caucasus. The state-owned arms factory in Zlatoust was far from the Caucasus and its managers had to make a lot of efforts to intercept orders)
Your dagger is one of the early examples similar to Caucasian blades. It has had a long hard life, but it is still an interesting and quite rare item.

2nd August 2023, 02:22 PM	#1
Klop Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 63	Kindjal, etching / origin assistance Dear members, just received this kindjal blade which has a worn etching near the base. Maybe someone is able to recognize the entire stamp (which is probably not unique) or the top word in the cartouche? Seems like "Znat...." Some stamps and number 35 are clearly visible. Any info on origin or age is highly appreciated! total length is 46 cm Kind regards, Eric. Attached Images

2nd August 2023, 03:18 PM	#2
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,246	The mark on kindjal is of Zlatoust arms factory, but not the commonly seen one, in addition the tip with position of the grooves looks strange, as if the blade were shortened. Of course there are forgeries of Zlatoust weapons made - I am not able to say if this is the real thing or not. Is there a mark on the other side of blade? You can search for Zlatoust on forum. https://pegasus-leaders.com/zlatoust-blade/ Last edited by Gustav; 2nd August 2023 at 07:33 PM. Reason: spellings

3rd August 2023, 12:29 AM	#4
Ren Ren Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Russia, Moscow Posts: 370	This is a Cossack dagger produced by the Zlatoust Arms Factory (ЗЛАТОУСТЪ/Златоуст. Оружейная Фабрика). The blade is shortened, the shape is changed. I agree with Gustav on dating 1880-1890. Daggers similar in shape were made at the beginning of the 20th century by order of the Cossack troops. On one side they have the abbreviation ЗОФ, on the other ККВ or ТКВ. It would be helpful to identify if you could show a photo of the back of your dagger. Last edited by Ren Ren; 3rd August 2023 at 12:42 AM. Reason: Clarification

3rd August 2023, 07:19 PM	#5
Klop Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 63	dear gents, thanks so much for the info. The combined knowledge here is great! I already suspected the tip was changed as the grooves are "running straight off" the blade instead of following the shape to the point. On the backside there is no etching or stamps at all. If there ever was etching I'd expect to see at least some remnants like on the front. There was a makeshift wooden handle all around the tang, i was pleased to discover a complete original tangshape underneath. Kind regards, Eric Attached Images

2nd August 2023, 07:37 PM	#3
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,246	After some time I would say your example likely is the real thing. The date could be 1880ties or 1890ties

4th August 2023, 03:24 AM	#6
Ren Ren Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Russia, Moscow Posts: 370	Cossacks for a long time preferred to order daggers from local craftsmen in the Caucasus. The state-owned arms factory in Zlatoust was far from the Caucasus and its managers had to make a lot of efforts to intercept orders) Your dagger is one of the early examples similar to Caucasian blades. It has had a long hard life, but it is still an interesting and quite rare item.