India?

Hombre · 10th June 2019, 11:15 AM

Got this knife in a lot and wonder what it can be...
Just a tourist piece or....
Any opinion at all very much appreciated....

Best regards,
Stefan
Sweden

Bob A · 11th June 2019, 02:15 AM

Quite the nondescript species of knife, apparently . . . 80 views without an opinion.

Merely from the treatment of the crossguard, I'm put in mind of something Mediterranean.

That's all I got, and it's probably wrong.

Hombre · 11th June 2019, 03:56 AM

Thank you for your opinion, Bob A.... I appreciate it!

Best,
Stefan
Sweden

Battara · 11th June 2019, 06:25 AM

Not seen anything like this before. Would not say India. European of some kind due to the blade?

Jim McDougall · 11th June 2019, 07:41 AM

Its really hard to identify these 'one off' type knives as they are pretty much custom and draw from varying influences the makers have seen. As noted, the blade is not 'oriental' (Eastern etc. ) but more 'Bowie' like. The wire wrap around the hilt of course recalls Arabian and Persian shamshirs, the alternating quillon terminals recall certain sword bayonet forms. The interesting knife device added is an interesting touch. The pommel very neo classic.

Probably most intriguing is the fish skeleton like motif which seems en suite on blade and grip. This reminds me of such designs in North African knives, i.e. Sudan.
I would think something from American source where imports from 'exotics' were centered, and a maker drew from the many edged weapons seen, East Coast perhaps, with the 'Bowie' type blade, though small obviously, carried the pastiche of design elements. Looks very latter 19th c.
With these kinds of knives, guesswork mostly, but whatever it is, its an incredibly attractive piece!

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 11th June 2019, 03:58 PM

Always fun to have a modern knife turn up with possible clues as to from where it came. You headed up the post as Indian? Is that a clue or where in fact did you get it?...The pattern on the blade is reflected in the hilt for which I think its origin points at tree of life which could be the vast area of India and or the Silk Road not to mention Arabia or Muslim origins broadly. I will hazard a vast guess ...Afghanistan! I would say Kabul.

10th June 2019, 11:15 AM	#1
Hombre Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 232	India? Got this knife in a lot and wonder what it can be... Just a tourist piece or.... Any opinion at all very much appreciated.... Best regards, Stefan Sweden Attached Images

11th June 2019, 02:15 AM	#2
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 427	Quite the nondescript species of knife, apparently . . . 80 views without an opinion. Merely from the treatment of the crossguard, I'm put in mind of something Mediterranean. That's all I got, and it's probably wrong.

11th June 2019, 03:56 AM	#3
Hombre Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 232	Thank you for your opinion, Bob A.... I appreciate it! Best, Stefan Sweden

11th June 2019, 06:25 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	Not seen anything like this before. Would not say India. European of some kind due to the blade?

11th June 2019, 07:41 AM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,942	Its really hard to identify these 'one off' type knives as they are pretty much custom and draw from varying influences the makers have seen. As noted, the blade is not 'oriental' (Eastern etc. ) but more 'Bowie' like. The wire wrap around the hilt of course recalls Arabian and Persian shamshirs, the alternating quillon terminals recall certain sword bayonet forms. The interesting knife device added is an interesting touch. The pommel very neo classic. Probably most intriguing is the fish skeleton like motif which seems en suite on blade and grip. This reminds me of such designs in North African knives, i.e. Sudan. I would think something from American source where imports from 'exotics' were centered, and a maker drew from the many edged weapons seen, East Coast perhaps, with the 'Bowie' type blade, though small obviously, carried the pastiche of design elements. Looks very latter 19th c. With these kinds of knives, guesswork mostly, but whatever it is, its an incredibly attractive piece!

11th June 2019, 03:58 PM	#6
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Always fun to have a modern knife turn up with possible clues as to from where it came. You headed up the post as Indian? Is that a clue or where in fact did you get it?...The pattern on the blade is reflected in the hilt for which I think its origin points at tree of life which could be the vast area of India and or the Silk Road not to mention Arabia or Muslim origins broadly. I will hazard a vast guess ...Afghanistan! I would say Kabul.