Old Jambiya for ID

Andy Stevens · 13th December 2004, 02:18 PM

Hello All
This Jambiya has been lurking around the house for sometime. I would like to know where it came from? and what is the purpose of the lug on the back of the handle ? The weapon looks well used, the blade is heavy and very sturdy. The handle is covered in sheet brass, decorated with punched circles , stars and flicky lines. The blade measures 7.5 " , overall 12". Many Thanks.

Radu Transylvanicus · 13th December 2004, 06:57 PM

It could be from many places from Ottoman to Arab to Persian to Malay, you need to post more clear and in light images of general and any sign particular (the fillings or any other marks) ... The easieast thing would be to say its western Iran eastearn Iran but that wouldnt be fair since I cannot be sure if really the case ...

Tim Simmons · 13th December 2004, 07:12 PM

I agree with Radu,but my first thoughts were the horn of Africa and the Yemen.As I type this, I am reminded of some North African craftmanship.Tim

Yannis · 13th December 2004, 08:18 PM

The form is midle east, but the material and the signs on blade make it more african.

Does blade look practical for cutting use? If not, it is more possible to be a crude african art for tourist market.

ariel · 14th December 2004, 03:11 AM

The handle is very similar to Jiboula (Ethiopia, Somali etc, sometimes attributed to Morocco or to Falasha Jews).
The blade is very reminescent of the Bedja daggers( Hadendoa people from Sudan).
Putting the two together, I am voting for Sudan or thereabouts.

tom hyle · 15th December 2004, 02:36 AM

Is the blade engraved, or is it forged from a rasp/file? Do I see a seperate band of metal overlaying the other metal, like a belt around the center of the handle?

13th December 2004, 02:18 PM	#1
Andy Stevens Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: London Posts: 155	Old Jambiya for ID Hello All This Jambiya has been lurking around the house for sometime. I would like to know where it came from? and what is the purpose of the lug on the back of the handle ? The weapon looks well used, the blade is heavy and very sturdy. The handle is covered in sheet brass, decorated with punched circles , stars and flicky lines. The blade measures 7.5 " , overall 12". Many Thanks. Attached Images

13th December 2004, 06:57 PM	#2
Radu Transylvanicus Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: 2008-2010 Bali, 1998-2008 USA Posts: 271	It could be from many places from Ottoman to Arab to Persian to Malay, you need to post more clear and in light images of general and any sign particular (the fillings or any other marks) ... The easieast thing would be to say its western Iran eastearn Iran but that wouldnt be fair since I cannot be sure if really the case ...

13th December 2004, 07:12 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,781	I agree with Radu,but my first thoughts were the horn of Africa and the Yemen.As I type this, I am reminded of some North African craftmanship.Tim

13th December 2004, 08:18 PM	#4
Yannis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Athens Greece Posts: 479	The form is midle east, but the material and the signs on blade make it more african. Does blade look practical for cutting use? If not, it is more possible to be a crude african art for tourist market.

14th December 2004, 03:11 AM	#5
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	The handle is very similar to Jiboula (Ethiopia, Somali etc, sometimes attributed to Morocco or to Falasha Jews). The blade is very reminescent of the Bedja daggers( Hadendoa people from Sudan). Putting the two together, I am voting for Sudan or thereabouts.

15th December 2004, 02:36 AM	#6
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Is the blade engraved, or is it forged from a rasp/file? Do I see a seperate band of metal overlaying the other metal, like a belt around the center of the handle?