silver mounted jambia

derek · 25th August 2005, 09:20 PM

Hi,
I agree with Ariel. Yemeni and probably fairly old, definitely not made to be sold in a tourist shop.

They still make fantastic jambiyas like this today, though I have only seen them offered by Yemeni (from Sanaa) sellers at the Dubai Shopping Festival. I never ventured to Yemen as it wasn't the safest place for a yank. Anyway, I saw more than a few hundred examples and the only way I could tell the new from the old was the blade - another aspect of yours that looks older.

I notice a little hole in the leather on the back. Is there a small silver coin there with an incsription?

Carter may be able to read the back of the grip.

Nice find.
-d

25th August 2005, 09:20 PM	#4
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Hi, I agree with Ariel. Yemeni and probably fairly old, definitely not made to be sold in a tourist shop. They still make fantastic jambiyas like this today, though I have only seen them offered by Yemeni (from Sanaa) sellers at the Dubai Shopping Festival. I never ventured to Yemen as it wasn't the safest place for a yank. Anyway, I saw more than a few hundred examples and the only way I could tell the new from the old was the blade - another aspect of yours that looks older. I notice a little hole in the leather on the back. Is there a small silver coin there with an incsription? Carter may be able to read the back of the grip. Nice find. -d