Ottoman Turkish (?) Dagger

Aurangzeb · 16th May 2005, 12:29 AM

Good Evening To All !

Attached are several pictures of what I believe to be a 'Turkish' dagger that I picked up very cheaply at a local coin shop. I believe it's origin may be Ottoman Turkish, World War I era. Extensive repair ( crude ) work can be readily seen on it's handle. The handle sports 'mother-of-pearl' and wood inlay. It has some sort of acid etched inscription on the blade which 'almost' appears to be the English word 'Victory', however at the base of the letter 'V', the two lines forming the 'V' do not meet to truly form that letter. There was no sheath that accompanied it. If anyone can provide any information based on this limited information, it would be truly appreciated. A better image of the inscription can be provided if requested to help in it's possible identification.

Thank you all in advance for any help that you may be able to provide !
Warmest regards to all !
Mark.... Wapwallopen, Pennsylvania, USA

TVV · 16th May 2005, 03:18 AM

I do not think it is Turkish. It looks more Indian to me, and I believe daggers such as this one were made in India in the first half of the twentieth century for westerners fascinated with everything oriental.
I am sure someone will add more information, though.

Aurangzeb · 16th May 2005, 03:43 AM

Hi TVV!

I whould have never thought in a million years it was from India!

With the metal chain on the hilt I whould have thought it was middle eastern/turkish.Considering I have seen many Iranian/Turkish cavalry swords with sutch metal chains on them.That is what led me to believe it was Turkish.Keep in mind the Metal blobs on it are my own repair work.Is this a relative of the jambiya or not.The one book I read said it might be Mexican.

Thanks for the help so far!

Ian · 16th May 2005, 05:08 AM

Well made Indian knife from end of the 19th C. or early 20th C. Made for European trade, as mentioned. The mosaic mother of pearl on the hilt is characteristic, as well as the brass guard and ferrule. I have its cousin that I will be posting shortly in the Swap Section.

Often these have the words "Victory" etched on one side of the blade and "Pure Steel" on the other.

Ian.

Justin · 16th May 2005, 01:34 PM

From what I have seen I believe that these are called kirpan and made by the Sikh in India.I have never seen one that I thought was older than the late 1800s but supposedly these are more modern versions of a traditional form.{feel welcomed to correct me if I am wrong}

Aurangzeb · 16th May 2005, 09:10 PM

Hi all!

Now that we have established that it is Indian,whould this have had a sheath,if so what whould it have looked like?Never herd of this type of weapon,odd it only has "victory" written on both sides.

Thanks again for correcting my mistake!

P.S.-Recently won a Lebanese/Syrian dagger and hope to post it soon!

16th May 2005, 12:29 AM	#1
Aurangzeb Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 306	Ottoman Turkish (?) Dagger Good Evening To All ! Attached are several pictures of what I believe to be a 'Turkish' dagger that I picked up very cheaply at a local coin shop. I believe it's origin may be Ottoman Turkish, World War I era. Extensive repair ( crude ) work can be readily seen on it's handle. The handle sports 'mother-of-pearl' and wood inlay. It has some sort of acid etched inscription on the blade which 'almost' appears to be the English word 'Victory', however at the base of the letter 'V', the two lines forming the 'V' do not meet to truly form that letter. There was no sheath that accompanied it. If anyone can provide any information based on this limited information, it would be truly appreciated. A better image of the inscription can be provided if requested to help in it's possible identification. Thank you all in advance for any help that you may be able to provide ! Warmest regards to all ! Mark.... Wapwallopen, Pennsylvania, USA Attached Images

16th May 2005, 05:08 AM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,356	Definitely Indian Well made Indian knife from end of the 19th C. or early 20th C. Made for European trade, as mentioned. The mosaic mother of pearl on the hilt is characteristic, as well as the brass guard and ferrule. I have its cousin that I will be posting shortly in the Swap Section. Often these have the words "Victory" etched on one side of the blade and "Pure Steel" on the other. Ian.

16th May 2005, 03:18 AM	#2
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,660	I do not think it is Turkish. It looks more Indian to me, and I believe daggers such as this one were made in India in the first half of the twentieth century for westerners fascinated with everything oriental. I am sure someone will add more information, though.

16th May 2005, 03:43 AM	#3
Aurangzeb Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 306	Hi TVV! I whould have never thought in a million years it was from India! With the metal chain on the hilt I whould have thought it was middle eastern/turkish.Considering I have seen many Iranian/Turkish cavalry swords with sutch metal chains on them.That is what led me to believe it was Turkish.Keep in mind the Metal blobs on it are my own repair work.Is this a relative of the jambiya or not.The one book I read said it might be Mexican. Thanks for the help so far!

16th May 2005, 01:34 PM	#5
Justin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 178	From what I have seen I believe that these are called kirpan and made by the Sikh in India.I have never seen one that I thought was older than the late 1800s but supposedly these are more modern versions of a traditional form.{feel welcomed to correct me if I am wrong}

16th May 2005, 09:10 PM	#6
Aurangzeb Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 306	Hi all! Now that we have established that it is Indian,whould this have had a sheath,if so what whould it have looked like?Never herd of this type of weapon,odd it only has "victory" written on both sides. Thanks again for correcting my mistake! P.S.-Recently won a Lebanese/Syrian dagger and hope to post it soon!