Brass dots on a blade??

[David R]

I have a Syrian dagger with the three dot inlay in copper, in addition to two teardrops in yellow metal and two plain large dots in copper, all arranged symetricaly down the blade . They could have a meaning, but then again, they could be just simple decoration.
I think in some cases, a single nail/rivit at random, they are just a way of hiding a flaw in the blade.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Ive seen many khanjars and a few old Omani battle swords (turned down quillons / spiked pommel broad short blade) with the dot or three dots. I also collect Omani Chests many brass studded and brass plated and the story of brass reflecting evil is applicable there. Islamic belief (which is likely to be a pre Islamic structure) has it that Iron attracts Evil whilst gold or brass repels it. Its only rarely seen now in Omani blades but I do go with that idea. On the other hand it could have been a jolly good way to have the blades appear as more expensive..

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Ive seen many khanjars and a few old Omani battle swords (turned down quillons / spiked pommel broad short blade) with the dot or three dots. I also collect Omani Chests many brass studded and brass plated and the story of brass reflecting evil is applicable there. Islamic belief (which is likely to be a pre Islamic structure) has it that Iron attracts Evil whilst gold or brass repels it. Its only rarely seen now in Omani blades but I do go with that idea. On the other hand it could have been a jolly good way to have the blades appear as more expensive..

Outstanding Ibrahiim! Thank you for the input on this interesting topic. This was a most interesting discussion and your bringing it back up with such well placed observations is gratefully appreciated. Having insight directly from Oman really gives sound perspective.

All the best,
Jim

[Steve]

Thanks guys for raising this again and thanks Ibrahiim, I would also go with your assessment on the use of the brass dots in these blades. It's probably a technique imported from further east - india or china - I would say.
Issue solved I think,
Steve

[regihis]

the kindjal is clearly inspired by the shark teeth, coincidentally, Oman and Yemen are countries where the culture of the people is linked to the sea. Maybe before the age of metals used as shark teeth knife ..

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Steve

Thanks guys for raising this again and thanks Ibrahiim, I would also go with your assessment on the use of the brass dots in these blades. It's probably a technique imported from further east - india or china - I would say.
Issue solved I think,
Steve

In researching the Old Omani Short Battle Sword ~ One sword reference appears with a gold dot in mid blade ... The Abbasid 9th Century Sword in The Topkapi Museum ! This dot (as I point out in my latest stab at origins of the Omani Short Sword) can be seen on the Old Omani weapons and on a few Khanjar blades and Yemeni variants though in brass... the cheap equivalent .