That Indian Jambiya, restored: For comments

Atlantia · 5th July 2009, 05:44 PM

Well, I know it didn't exactly set the boards afire when I initially showed you all it! My sincere thanks to Battara, Steve and especially Stuart, who talked me into waiting to find a nice piece of velvet for the recovering of the scabbard.
The Velvet is pre WW2, so its proper velvet. Looks a treat in person. I decided to shift from the original green, as although it probobly looked good when the mounts were still showing complete silvering, it didn't look to hot with the now mostly brass colour. Havent etched the blade, doubt its worth the effort.
Anyway, here it is! Hope you all approve, it took many hours with toothpicks to clean all the brasso residue out of the engraving.
Regards
Gene

CharlesS · 5th July 2009, 06:42 PM

A very nice example of this type. These are usually lovely, and rather exotic looking, but, like you noted there never seems to be much interest in or a market for them.

You have done a very nice job with the velvet. Was the the original ribbon covering the seam? If not it could surely pass for authentic.

Jim McDougall · 5th July 2009, 07:40 PM

That truly is surprising to hear that there is limited market for these......this is breathtaking Gene!!! Nicely done......and good teamwork you guys on the patience waiting for just the right velvet instead of a trip to the fabric store. Incredible what a difference it makes.
Its most heartening to see proud old weapons brought back to life.
Again, well done Gene.

All the best,
Jim

Battara · 5th July 2009, 08:41 PM

Very nice......

Atlantia · 5th July 2009, 10:31 PM

Gentlemen, thank you

Interestingly, as I removed the horrible remains of the original covering, I noticed that there was an extra layer of velvet in a strip around the middle corresponding to the area between the mounts to 'pad' that area and raise the level slightly. I replaced this too.

Charles:
The ribbon (didn't know they were called that!) is the original. Its made from tiny thin strips of silvered copper. Some are flat, others are wrapped around cotton threads to make little silver 'ropes'. As with the the mounts most of the silvering is gone, but I wanted to keep as much of the original scabbard as I could.

Jim,
Thanks mate. You're generous as always

Its a funny little knife, but everything about it just 'fits'. It feels great in the hand, the balance is right where the handle joins the blade. The grip is smooth but comfortable, not slippery. I am very interested in the styling of the 'Thum' which is a big ole pineapple atop what looks like a carved version of a 'turks head knot' (don't know how else to describe it?)

Battara,
Thanks bud

I'm pleased with how its turned out.

Regards
Gene

Atlantia · 5th July 2009, 11:27 PM

Before............................................ ..................and............................. .............................................After

Jens Nordlunde · 6th July 2009, 05:08 PM

Gene,

Like the others write – you have done a great job – congratulations. I could need someone with your skills closer to where I live.

I agree with Stuart, that there is a marked for these daggers, but one problem is, that many collectors of Indian arms, does not recognise these daggers as being Indian, or they collect other types of Indian weapons.

Jens

Jens Nordlunde · 6th July 2009, 10:32 PM

Your dagger is no doubt from Kutch. If you look at the catalogue from The Colonial and Indian Exhibition, 1886 you can find similar decorations. Also have a look at the attached scabbard.
Jens

Atlantia · 7th July 2009, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

Your dagger is no doubt from Kutch. If you look at the catalogue from The Colonial and Indian Exhibition, 1886 you can find similar decorations. Also have a look at the attached scabbard.
Jens

Wow thanks Jens! The Bhuj scabbard is very interesting!
I wonder why an Indian dagger is so Arabic in style?
Many thanks for your input on this

Regards
gene

5th July 2009, 05:44 PM	#1
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	That Indian Jambiya, restored: For comments Well, I know it didn't exactly set the boards afire when I initially showed you all it! My sincere thanks to Battara, Steve and especially Stuart, who talked me into waiting to find a nice piece of velvet for the recovering of the scabbard. The Velvet is pre WW2, so its proper velvet. Looks a treat in person. I decided to shift from the original green, as although it probobly looked good when the mounts were still showing complete silvering, it didn't look to hot with the now mostly brass colour. Havent etched the blade, doubt its worth the effort. Anyway, here it is! Hope you all approve, it took many hours with toothpicks to clean all the brasso residue out of the engraving. Regards Gene

6th July 2009, 10:32 PM	#8
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Your dagger is no doubt from Kutch. If you look at the catalogue from The Colonial and Indian Exhibition, 1886 you can find similar decorations. Also have a look at the attached scabbard. Jens Attached Images

5th July 2009, 06:42 PM	#2
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	A very nice example of this type. These are usually lovely, and rather exotic looking, but, like you noted there never seems to be much interest in or a market for them. You have done a very nice job with the velvet. Was the the original ribbon covering the seam? If not it could surely pass for authentic.

5th July 2009, 07:40 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,949	That truly is surprising to hear that there is limited market for these......this is breathtaking Gene!!! Nicely done......and good teamwork you guys on the patience waiting for just the right velvet instead of a trip to the fabric store. Incredible what a difference it makes. Its most heartening to see proud old weapons brought back to life. Again, well done Gene. All the best, Jim

5th July 2009, 08:41 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,225	Very nice......

5th July 2009, 10:31 PM	#5
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Gentlemen, thank you Interestingly, as I removed the horrible remains of the original covering, I noticed that there was an extra layer of velvet in a strip around the middle corresponding to the area between the mounts to 'pad' that area and raise the level slightly. I replaced this too. Charles: The ribbon (didn't know they were called that!) is the original. Its made from tiny thin strips of silvered copper. Some are flat, others are wrapped around cotton threads to make little silver 'ropes'. As with the the mounts most of the silvering is gone, but I wanted to keep as much of the original scabbard as I could. Jim, Thanks mate. You're generous as always Its a funny little knife, but everything about it just 'fits'. It feels great in the hand, the balance is right where the handle joins the blade. The grip is smooth but comfortable, not slippery. I am very interested in the styling of the 'Thum' which is a big ole pineapple atop what looks like a carved version of a 'turks head knot' (don't know how else to describe it?) Battara, Thanks bud I'm pleased with how its turned out. Regards Gene

5th July 2009, 11:27 PM	#6
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Before............................................ ..................and............................. .............................................After

6th July 2009, 05:08 PM	#7
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Gene, Like the others write – you have done a great job – congratulations. I could need someone with your skills closer to where I live. I agree with Stuart, that there is a marked for these daggers, but one problem is, that many collectors of Indian arms, does not recognise these daggers as being Indian, or they collect other types of Indian weapons. Jens