Kindjal

Dominique · 6th March 2016, 03:17 PM

Hi,
Can anyone help me locate the region of origin of this kindjal, approximately its age and translate the inscription on the blade?
Thanks

ariel · 6th March 2016, 07:30 PM

My guess it is Turkish. Is the blade pattern-welded?

Kubur · 6th March 2016, 08:34 PM

I confirm pure Turkish for the hilt and scabbard, the blade I don't know...
The date in Gregorian calendar is 1804.
Some members will translate the Arabic text, I hope.
Congrats its a cool stuff
Kubur

Dominique · 10th March 2016, 09:45 PM

Thanks for your feedback.
The blade is not pattern-welded and not of great workmanship. I am actually surprised it dates from 1804, I was under the impression it was more recent.
Dominique

estcrh · 13th March 2016, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dominique

I am actually surprised it dates from 1804, I was under the impression it was more recent.
Dominique

Just because it has a date inscribed does not necessarily mean that the date is accurate, a date could be added at any time.

mariusgmioc · 17th March 2016, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estcrh

Just because it has a date inscribed does not necessarily mean that the date is accurate, a date could be added at any time.

I also have some suspicions regarding the age of the blade. While I do not read Arabic, It appears to me that half of the engravings, towards the tip, are pure decoration not writing, while the writing is in a different style. So I suspect it was added later.

Also the scabbard looks suspicious and I am inclined to say that it is just a tourist souvenir of very recent production. But the photos might be misleading and I might be wrong.

Can you identify the white metal of the scabbard?

Can you post a more detailed photo of the tip of the scabbard?

Dominique · 19th March 2016, 07:02 PM

Here is a pic of the tip.
I am not sure about the scabbard metal, looks like low grade silver over wood.

mariusgmioc · 20th March 2016, 09:52 AM

Thank you for the photo!

To me it looks much more like aluminum. Silver, either low or high grade, tends to tarnish and get a patina that doesn't look like this. But it is hard to say for sure from the photos.

Also, it appears that the blade is very flat like it has been cut from sheet steel. But you should be able to tell better as you have the blade at hand.

Definitely tourist stuff, rather crudely made, and fairly recent!

Just my opinion of course.

PS: If you are seeking a definitive answer you can get (from Amazon for example) a silver testing kit and test the metal yourself.

Kubur · 20th March 2016, 11:50 AM

I do not think, its not a tourist stuff for me.
If dont want it, I will take it!!!

Dominique · 20th March 2016, 03:24 PM

Looks like a lot of work for a tourist piece. The sheath was in fact tarnished when I acquired it, the photo you see is after cleaning with ascorbic acid, which is fairly agressive.
Mariusgmioc, I will buy a silver test kit. Thank you for your suggestion.
Thank you Kubur, but I will keep it.
Dominique

6th March 2016, 03:17 PM	#1
Dominique Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Paris Posts: 21	Kindjal Hi, Can anyone help me locate the region of origin of this kindjal, approximately its age and translate the inscription on the blade? Thanks Last edited by Dominique; 6th March 2016 at 03:37 PM.

20th March 2016, 09:52 AM	#8
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,903	Thank you for the photo! To me it looks much more like aluminum. Silver, either low or high grade, tends to tarnish and get a patina that doesn't look like this. But it is hard to say for sure from the photos. Also, it appears that the blade is very flat like it has been cut from sheet steel. But you should be able to tell better as you have the blade at hand. Definitely tourist stuff, rather crudely made, and fairly recent! Just my opinion of course. PS: If you are seeking a definitive answer you can get (from Amazon for example) a silver testing kit and test the metal yourself. Last edited by mariusgmioc; 20th March 2016 at 10:03 AM.

20th March 2016, 03:24 PM	#10
Dominique Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Paris Posts: 21	Looks like a lot of work for a tourist piece. The sheath was in fact tarnished when I acquired it, the photo you see is after cleaning with ascorbic acid, which is fairly agressive. Mariusgmioc, I will buy a silver test kit. Thank you for your suggestion. Thank you Kubur, but I will keep it. Dominique Last edited by Dominique; 20th March 2016 at 05:29 PM.

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6th March 2016, 07:30 PM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	My guess it is Turkish. Is the blade pattern-welded?

6th March 2016, 08:34 PM	#3
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	I confirm pure Turkish for the hilt and scabbard, the blade I don't know... The date in Gregorian calendar is 1804. Some members will translate the Arabic text, I hope. Congrats its a cool stuff Kubur

10th March 2016, 09:45 PM	#4
Dominique Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Paris Posts: 21	Thanks for your feedback. The blade is not pattern-welded and not of great workmanship. I am actually surprised it dates from 1804, I was under the impression it was more recent. Dominique

19th March 2016, 07:02 PM	#7
Dominique Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Paris Posts: 21	Here is a pic of the tip. I am not sure about the scabbard metal, looks like low grade silver over wood.

20th March 2016, 11:50 AM	#9
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	I do not think, its not a tourist stuff for me. If dont want it, I will take it!!!