Unusual knife, Libya maybe? but not sure

Kmaddock · 28th March 2023, 09:41 AM

Hi,
A Czech contact sent me on these images of a knife he thinks his Dad got in Libya in the 1950's
what do you think it is?
Regards
Ken

Gavin Nugent · 28th March 2023, 09:54 AM

A real nice Somali piece mate.

Marc M. · 28th March 2023, 10:16 AM

Yes, Somali bilao knife.
Good one.

Regards
Marc

Kmaddock · 28th March 2023, 12:41 PM

Thank you both for the info
Ken

napoleon · 28th March 2023, 02:26 PM

somalia bilal i think they are called

werecow · 29th March 2023, 11:22 AM

The pommel seems somewhat unusual, right? AFAIK they usually have a trilobed pommel (e.g. see attached).

Gavin Nugent · 29th March 2023, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by werecow

The pommel seems somewhat unusual, right? AFAIK they usually have a trilobed pommel (e.g. see attached).

Single silver spire is also correct for the type and I think the only type seen on these hippo tooth examples.

Rafngard · 29th March 2023, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gavin Nugent

Single silver spire is also correct for the type and I think the only type seen on these hippo tooth examples.

Is hippo tooth what these are made of? I've seen "marine ivory" used as a description most often. I have one, but I can't quite tell.

Also, I have one one sword length example with a single spike, but it's not silver.

Thanks,
Leif

28th March 2023, 09:41 AM	#1
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Unusual knife, Libya maybe? but not sure Hi, A Czech contact sent me on these images of a knife he thinks his Dad got in Libya in the 1950's what do you think it is? Regards Ken Attached Images

28th March 2023, 02:26 PM	#5
napoleon Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 88	somalia somalia bilal i think they are called

29th March 2023, 11:22 AM	#6
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 553	The pommel seems somewhat unusual, right? AFAIK they usually have a trilobed pommel (e.g. see attached). Attached Images

28th March 2023, 09:54 AM	#2
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	A real nice Somali piece mate.

28th March 2023, 10:16 AM	#3
Marc M. Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Belgium Posts: 256	Yes, Somali bilao knife. Good one. Regards Marc

28th March 2023, 12:41 PM	#4
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Thank you both for the info Ken