Two Interesting Moroccan Koummya Daggers

CharlesS · 24th January 2014, 05:23 PM

I am glad to see Moroccan koummya daggers back as a focus of interest. I will add these two interesting examples to our archives.

Based on quality I am not sure the two examples belong on the same thread, but I purchased them both recently and will include them together here.

The silver example is 18.5in. long and has a 10in. long quality blade that is finely fullered and features a combination or numbers and letters stamped on one side. I imagine this is a European made blade...French??? Spanish???

Notice on this one that while the artwork is basic and rudimentary, its dimensions are more elongated and elegant than the norm. The scabbard and blade are more narrow than usual. The hilt is also narrow, but more typical, and it accentuates the elegant style.

The gold example is actually a scabbard made of gilded silver alloy in a detailed floral motif. This is a much earlier example being at least 100 years old and perhaps older. The blade here is the rarer "claw" style with a well defined fuller. The hilt is rhino horn mounted en suite. It is 15in. long with a 8in. blade and is 3inches across at the pommel.

Martin Lubojacky · 24th January 2014, 06:38 PM

Hi,
Being not an expert in koummyas, but having strange feeling that these two pieces are exceptionally interesting, I would like to congratulate you to your recent purchase !
Martin

spiral · 24th January 2014, 11:01 PM

Lovely specimens Charles!

Any history with them?

I don't think the white hanger on the first is original though? it just doesn't look right... adds to completeness though...

With the same one. The ferrule seems not to fully match the hilt? is it slightly proud at the rear? {on the right hand side in your photo.} or is that an optical illusion? Also The rear pin hole in same ferrule seems to be missing the pin? Could it be a rework or marriage perhaps? What's your take on this?

Either way a nice piece with a beautifully forged & ground blade. & has as you say an artistic flair in design.

The claw type is truly delicious though! I think Patton picked up a similar piece when he was in North Africa? Ive never had the delight of handling one of these claw pieces.... I like them in photos though!

Quality all the way through.

Spiral

CharlesS · 25th January 2014, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiral

Lovely specimens Charles!

Any history with them?

I don't think the white hanger on the first is original though? it just doesn't look right... adds to completeness though...

With the same one. The ferrule seems not to fully match the hilt? is it slightly proud at the rear? {on the right hand side in your photo.} or is that an optical illusion? Also The rear pin hole in same ferrule seems to be missing the pin? Could it be a rework or marriage perhaps? What's your take on this?

Either way a nice piece with a beautifully forged & ground blade. & has as you say an artistic flair in design.

The claw type is truly delicious though! I think Patton picked up a similar piece when he was in North Africa? Ive never had the delight of handling one of these claw pieces.... I like them in photos though!

Quality all the way through.

Spiral

Thanks for your comments.

Spiral, you are 100% correct regarding the baldric....I added it just for looks. I do not have the proper baldric rings yet...that would change everything.

The ferrule and rest are all 'born together'. There may be something in the pic that is throwing you off.

spiral · 25th January 2014, 08:19 AM

Ahh thank you Charles.

The photo or my eyes!

Fantastic pair all round then!

spiral

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 25th January 2014, 02:26 PM

First; Please press into this http://www.vikingsword.com/ethsword/koummya/

Then~ a small but important resource exists on http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?p=81117

Salaams all Note to Library; There is here at # 1 a certain degree of craftsmanship, thus, perhaps the tag Jewish Craftsmanship applies. In the second example the design with the pointed star of David is displayed twice. In the first example the balance and artistic definition are very high...though I would attribute both to Jewish workshops.

I was looking at Koummya generally and discovered a good and plentiful web back up from which I have added the pictures below to aid research; Thus both designs are identified.

The single black horizontal dagger is described as 20th Century

Morocco - Ait Ouaouzghit region, Southwest Atlas

Steel, silver, ebony wood

Full length: 41 cm, blade length: 23, 5 cm...

The interesting postcard is circa 1900 from Forum library Oran, Algeria..

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

24th January 2014, 05:23 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	Two Interesting Moroccan Koummya Daggers I am glad to see Moroccan koummya daggers back as a focus of interest. I will add these two interesting examples to our archives. Based on quality I am not sure the two examples belong on the same thread, but I purchased them both recently and will include them together here. The silver example is 18.5in. long and has a 10in. long quality blade that is finely fullered and features a combination or numbers and letters stamped on one side. I imagine this is a European made blade...French??? Spanish??? Notice on this one that while the artwork is basic and rudimentary, its dimensions are more elongated and elegant than the norm. The scabbard and blade are more narrow than usual. The hilt is also narrow, but more typical, and it accentuates the elegant style. The gold example is actually a scabbard made of gilded silver alloy in a detailed floral motif. This is a much earlier example being at least 100 years old and perhaps older. The blade here is the rarer "claw" style with a well defined fuller. The hilt is rhino horn mounted en suite. It is 15in. long with a 8in. blade and is 3inches across at the pommel. Attached Images Last edited by CharlesS; 24th January 2014 at 06:45 PM.

25th January 2014, 02:26 PM	#6
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	First; Please press into this http://www.vikingsword.com/ethsword/koummya/ Then~ a small but important resource exists on http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?p=81117 Salaams all Note to Library; There is here at # 1 a certain degree of craftsmanship, thus, perhaps the tag Jewish Craftsmanship applies. In the second example the design with the pointed star of David is displayed twice. In the first example the balance and artistic definition are very high...though I would attribute both to Jewish workshops. I was looking at Koummya generally and discovered a good and plentiful web back up from which I have added the pictures below to aid research; Thus both designs are identified. The single black horizontal dagger is described as 20th Century Morocco - Ait Ouaouzghit region, Southwest Atlas Steel, silver, ebony wood Full length: 41 cm, blade length: 23, 5 cm... The interesting postcard is circa 1900 from Forum library Oran, Algeria.. Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 25th January 2014 at 05:17 PM.

24th January 2014, 06:38 PM	#2
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 841	Hi, Being not an expert in koummyas, but having strange feeling that these two pieces are exceptionally interesting, I would like to congratulate you to your recent purchase ! Martin

24th January 2014, 11:01 PM	#3
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Lovely specimens Charles! Any history with them? I don't think the white hanger on the first is original though? it just doesn't look right... adds to completeness though... With the same one. The ferrule seems not to fully match the hilt? is it slightly proud at the rear? {on the right hand side in your photo.} or is that an optical illusion? Also The rear pin hole in same ferrule seems to be missing the pin? Could it be a rework or marriage perhaps? What's your take on this? Either way a nice piece with a beautifully forged & ground blade. & has as you say an artistic flair in design. The claw type is truly delicious though! I think Patton picked up a similar piece when he was in North Africa? Ive never had the delight of handling one of these claw pieces.... I like them in photos though! Quality all the way through. Spiral

25th January 2014, 08:19 AM	#5
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Ahh thank you Charles. The photo or my eyes! Fantastic pair all round then! spiral