Moroccan Koummya

jswillems · 19th October 2009, 10:25 PM

I'm new to collecting knives and I need a little help getting some information on this knife. All that I really know about it is that it is a Moroccan Koummya. It's about 16 inches (40 cm) long with a 8 1/2 inch (17.5 cm) blade. I'm fairly sure that it is silver. I was wondering if anyone knew if it was an authentic koummya or a tourist piece. If it is authentic, does anyone know about how old it is? I'm also very interested in the mark on the blade. If you need anymore pictures just let me know. Any information you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Sajen · 19th October 2009, 10:41 PM

Welcome to the forum! I think that it is an authentic one withal a very nice one.

sajen

Dom · 20th October 2009, 12:44 AM

Hi, wecome here
apparently, that Koummya it's not a tourist piece,
very nice dagger, if it's possible to give a datation,
let said around 1908 date of the first railway creation in Morocco.

à +

Dom

jswillems · 20th October 2009, 12:50 AM

Thanks for the replies. Nice to know it doesn't look like a cheap tourist item! As for the train mark, I've done some research online but haven't found much.

Atlantia · 20th October 2009, 01:11 PM

Hi JS

Welcome to the forums.
Nice dagger. Looks like its got some real age and quality.
The Steam train motif is unusual and rather attractive too. All in all a good piece I'd say.

Gene

Rick · 17th November 2009, 05:55 PM

Maybe excellent ; could that be a Rhino handle ?
Awfully coarse grain for wood .

jswillems · 18th November 2009, 12:15 AM

How would I be able to tell if it is rhino horn or wood? It does seem to have a very coarse grain. Here are some larger pictures of the handle. Thanks.

katana · 18th November 2009, 12:44 AM

Hi jswillems,
you could try the 'hot pin' test on a part of the handle that is generally hidden....the smell of burning hair is an excellent indicator.

Although the close ups of the handle seem to reveal a wood grain (similar to something like rosewood) ...but cannot be totally sure. Sometimes close-ups give false 'impressions'

All the best
David

Rick · 18th November 2009, 01:26 AM

I have a very woody looking rhino hilt on an Algerian Saif .

Try the pin ....

spiral · 18th November 2009, 07:20 PM

I Could be wrong but it looks like some of the typical West African timber types to me, photos of end grain rather than side grain would help massivly though.

Its a lovely piece, great blade, workmanship, inscription etc.

Wish it was mine!

Spiral

jswillems · 21st November 2009, 12:23 AM

Sorry for taking so long to test the handle. I finally got around to it today and it turns out that the handle is made of wood. Also, I was wondering if it was alright for someone to e-mail me with an estimate of the value of this knife or let me know how I could find that out. I don't plan on selling it but am just curious. Thanks again to everyone who helped me find out info on this knife. Here's my e-mail: jswillems@sbcglobal.net

19th October 2009, 10:25 PM	#1
jswillems Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 32	Moroccan Koummya I'm new to collecting knives and I need a little help getting some information on this knife. All that I really know about it is that it is a Moroccan Koummya. It's about 16 inches (40 cm) long with a 8 1/2 inch (17.5 cm) blade. I'm fairly sure that it is silver. I was wondering if anyone knew if it was an authentic koummya or a tourist piece. If it is authentic, does anyone know about how old it is? I'm also very interested in the mark on the blade. If you need anymore pictures just let me know. Any information you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Attached Images

17th November 2009, 05:55 PM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,291	Maybe excellent ; could that be a Rhino handle ? Awfully coarse grain for wood . Attached Images Last edited by Rick; 18th November 2009 at 07:10 PM.

18th November 2009, 12:15 AM	#7
jswillems Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 32	How would I be able to tell if it is rhino horn or wood? It does seem to have a very coarse grain. Here are some larger pictures of the handle. Thanks. Attached Images

19th October 2009, 10:41 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,769	Welcome to the forum! I think that it is an authentic one withal a very nice one. sajen

20th October 2009, 12:44 AM	#3
Dom Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Paris (FR*) Cairo (EG) Posts: 1,142	Hi, wecome here apparently, that Koummya it's not a tourist piece, very nice dagger, if it's possible to give a datation, let said around 1908 date of the first railway creation in Morocco. à + Dom

20th October 2009, 12:50 AM	#4
jswillems Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 32	Thanks for the replies. Nice to know it doesn't look like a cheap tourist item! As for the train mark, I've done some research online but haven't found much.

20th October 2009, 01:11 PM	#5
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Hi JS Welcome to the forums. Nice dagger. Looks like its got some real age and quality. The Steam train motif is unusual and rather attractive too. All in all a good piece I'd say. Gene

18th November 2009, 12:44 AM	#8
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi jswillems, you could try the 'hot pin' test on a part of the handle that is generally hidden....the smell of burning hair is an excellent indicator. Although the close ups of the handle seem to reveal a wood grain (similar to something like rosewood) ...but cannot be totally sure. Sometimes close-ups give false 'impressions' All the best David

18th November 2009, 01:26 AM	#9
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,291	I have a very woody looking rhino hilt on an Algerian Saif . Try the pin ....

18th November 2009, 07:20 PM	#10
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	I Could be wrong but it looks like some of the typical West African timber types to me, photos of end grain rather than side grain would help massivly though. Its a lovely piece, great blade, workmanship, inscription etc. Wish it was mine! Spiral

21st November 2009, 12:23 AM	#11
jswillems Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 32	Sorry for taking so long to test the handle. I finally got around to it today and it turns out that the handle is made of wood. Also, I was wondering if it was alright for someone to e-mail me with an estimate of the value of this knife or let me know how I could find that out. I don't plan on selling it but am just curious. Thanks again to everyone who helped me find out info on this knife. Here's my e-mail: jswillems@sbcglobal.net