What Is This

VANDOO · 9th October 2010, 06:47 AM

OOPS!!

THESE HORNS ARE NOT FROM A BLACKBUCK THEY COULD BE FROM ANOTHER IN THE ANTELOPE FAMILY BUT ARE MORE LIKELY FROM THE GAZELLE FAMILY. A POSSIBILITY IS THE INDIAN GAZELL (GAZELLA BENNETTII) BUT THERE ARE SEVERAL POSSIBILITYS THE BLACKBUCK HAS A SPIRAL HORN LIKE THE KUDU SO IS ELIMINATED. THE HORNS COULD HAVE COME FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY AND NOT INDIA AND COULD BE FROM THE MIDDLE EAST OR AFRICA. I HAVE SEEN SIMULAR METALWORK ON TIGER SKULL SMOKING SETS MADE IN INDIA IN THE PAST WHEN TIGERS WERE NOT PROTECTED.

broadaxe · 9th October 2010, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANDOO

OOPS!!

THESE HORNS ARE NOT FROM A BLACKBUCK THEY COULD BE FROM ANOTHER IN THE ANTELOPE FAMILY BUT ARE MORE LIKELY FROM THE GAZELLE FAMILY. A POSSIBILITY IS THE INDIAN GAZELL (GAZELLA BENNETTII) BUT THERE ARE SEVERAL POSSIBILITYS THE BLACKBUCK HAS A SPIRAL HORN LIKE THE KUDU SO IS ELIMINATED. THE HORNS COULD HAVE COME FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY AND NOT INDIA AND COULD BE FROM THE MIDDLE EAST OR AFRICA.

My thoughts, too.
If you look again upon the blades you'll see that at first glance they appear as Moroccan Kumiyah style, but actualy I think they were made to accomodate this special dagger, as one is a mirror-image of the other, each one pose a sharp longer edge outside.

Nesher? This is 15 minutes driving from where I live... didn't realise there is a source for interesting things

Gavin Nugent · 9th October 2010, 10:30 AM

Nice example of unique craftsmanship.

My thoughts, I feel it is supposed to appear as a powder horn but conceals a blade.

Gav

Ron Anderson · 9th October 2010, 11:38 AM

My fakir's horns, just for the record.

I believe these may be blackbuck. But not particularly black nonetheless.

David · 9th October 2010, 08:28 PM

Beautiful, fascinating and most certainly deadly if properly applied.

archer · 9th October 2010, 11:53 PM

Ron,
I vote defensive, too. Your Fakirs horns are likely from the same species.
I was joking about the back scratchers, I'll be sure to add a smiley next time.

Broad axe, I'm still leaning toward Kumyah for blade shape, all Indian double Bichwas I can find have a diamond profiles. The closest design comparisons are Moroccan influenced. Even their Henna art is similar.

The patterns/symbols on the horn hilt surely have a meaning other than just a free form design. The designs overall don't depict any flowers a commonly seen in Indian works.

Whoever, worked out the blade to natural horn adjustments alone has my admiration.

Thank you all for your interest and comments,
Steve

Ron Anderson · 17th October 2010, 10:38 AM

HI Steve

I found this surprising. It's in a new book I've just received - The illustrated encyclopedia of knives, daggers and bayonets.

Sorry for taking a photo, I haven't got my scanner up and running yet. Two points worth noting - the horn hilt (obviously), described as gazelle, and secondly the blades bear a fair resemblane to the blade type of your item.

These are described as Spanish fighting knives, 19th century.

Whether this is a red herring, or a breakthrough in the identification, I don't know. But I thought should let you know.

Cheers
Ron

9th October 2010, 10:30 AM	#3
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Nice Nice example of unique craftsmanship. My thoughts, I feel it is supposed to appear as a powder horn but conceals a blade. Gav

9th October 2010, 11:38 AM	#4
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	My fakir's horns, just for the record. I believe these may be blackbuck. But not particularly black nonetheless. Attached Images

9th October 2010, 11:53 PM	#6
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	Response Ron, I vote defensive, too. Your Fakirs horns are likely from the same species. I was joking about the back scratchers, I'll be sure to add a smiley next time. Broad axe, I'm still leaning toward Kumyah for blade shape, all Indian double Bichwas I can find have a diamond profiles. The closest design comparisons are Moroccan influenced. Even their Henna art is similar. The patterns/symbols on the horn hilt surely have a meaning other than just a free form design. The designs overall don't depict any flowers a commonly seen in Indian works. Whoever, worked out the blade to natural horn adjustments alone has my admiration. Thank you all for your interest and comments, Steve

17th October 2010, 10:38 AM	#7
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	HI Steve I found this surprising. It's in a new book I've just received - The illustrated encyclopedia of knives, daggers and bayonets. Sorry for taking a photo, I haven't got my scanner up and running yet. Two points worth noting - the horn hilt (obviously), described as gazelle, and secondly the blades bear a fair resemblane to the blade type of your item. These are described as Spanish fighting knives, 19th century. Whether this is a red herring, or a breakthrough in the identification, I don't know. But I thought should let you know. Cheers Ron Attached Images

9th October 2010, 06:47 AM	#1
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	OOPS!! THESE HORNS ARE NOT FROM A BLACKBUCK THEY COULD BE FROM ANOTHER IN THE ANTELOPE FAMILY BUT ARE MORE LIKELY FROM THE GAZELLE FAMILY. A POSSIBILITY IS THE INDIAN GAZELL (GAZELLA BENNETTII) BUT THERE ARE SEVERAL POSSIBILITYS THE BLACKBUCK HAS A SPIRAL HORN LIKE THE KUDU SO IS ELIMINATED. THE HORNS COULD HAVE COME FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY AND NOT INDIA AND COULD BE FROM THE MIDDLE EAST OR AFRICA. I HAVE SEEN SIMULAR METALWORK ON TIGER SKULL SMOKING SETS MADE IN INDIA IN THE PAST WHEN TIGERS WERE NOT PROTECTED.

9th October 2010, 08:28 PM	#5
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,250	Beautiful, fascinating and most certainly deadly if properly applied.