Hilt Replacement on an Indian Dagger.

[Jens Nordlunde]

Could you please make detailed pictures of the two first pictures, showing the decoration clearly (without reflection), and also showing the to of the hilt.
I agree with the others that the blade should be turned when it comes to the pistol hilted dagger/blade.
Jens
PS. BTW I don't think I would have removed the old hilt.

[kahnjar1]

I agree with Jens. The original looks to be a match. All we have now IMHO is a modern made replica and a probable trap for future collectors who think they have an original.
Stu

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams,
I agree with all the replies..to some extent. However;

The decoration on the original 'half hilt' matches the blade decoration however the hilt was only 50 % intact thus the decision to explore a restoration with a fresh hilt. Luckily this is not a problem since pitch is used in the fix therefor its very easy to change, modify or revert back. We considered to flip the hilt the other way but it does not look or feel right.

The initial design included some green gemstone work but we discounted that ~ perhaps I will integrate them into the scabbard.

It is always a consideration when restoring whether to proceed but since we have done I feel the effect is not bad ... naturally any work done is written up and goes with the items history so there is no attempt to cover its true ID. On the contrary since this project is able to be easily reversed since the fix is simply pitch. The original hilt is half missing and could make a restoration project in its own right however it is part of the history of this dagger so it stays with it..

I suspect that the koftgari work on the blade may have been done at a later stage to the old hilt koftgari ...

I believe punch daggers were often made from broken swords so perhaps that is how these two originally became linked. Now to switch or not to switch round that hilt !

Regards Ibrahi im al Balooshi.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

I agree with Jens. The original looks to be a match. All we have now IMHO is a modern made replica and a probable trap for future collectors who think they have an original.
Stu

Salaams,
Thank you for your input. As you are aware we certificate every modification. You also know that most Omani Khanjars, for example, have their hilts switched sometimes several times and that after battles the winner takes all concept meant that many blade and hilt combinations changed according to the wishes of the winning side.. Hilt switch in many ways can enhance a weapon. In any case this weapon was a rusted, wobbly, old wreck with no scabbard and a broken, fragmentary hilt and no tang ! We think this Indian Khanjar is now rightly teamed up with its correct hilt style.
It is always a difficult decision to go ahead with a replacement restoration but we think we have got this one right since it was never a workable katar dagger and the fragmented hilt just failed to keep the weapon in circulation... "We either restore or chuck it away" was almost the choice.
Now we have a reasonable Indian Khanjar properly re-tanged and fitted with pitch and with its removed old hilt by its side and all supporting docs. The client seems to appreciate the work. We believe that this is allowable restoration though we weighed this one up for many months before we gave it the green light..

Indian Khanjar. Mid 19th C. Blade with recent replacement Hilt and new tang.. Restoration including Silver pin decoration done in Oman( July/August 2011), reflecting the beautiful, Koftgari work on the blade.

Regards Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[A.alnakkas]

I agree with Ibrahim on this. The restoration is very valid Imo and as long as he points it out when selling there is no problem!

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by A.alnakkas

I agree with Ibrahim on this. The restoration is very valid Imo and as long as he points it out when selling there is no problem!

Shukran Jazeelan yaa Ustadh !

Regards Ibrahiim al Balooshi

[Nathaniel]

It looks fantastic, Ibrahiim. Good points regarding switching hilt tastes. Thank you very much for sharing. Beautiful job. Shukran

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Nathaniel

It looks fantastic, Ibrahiim. Good points regarding switching hilt tastes. Thank you very much for sharing. Beautiful job. Shukran

Salaams Nathaniel wa Afwan,
The weapons made for the Royal Court of Shah Jehan were also pitch joined at hilt and blade and the Metropolitan Museum records show how often the hilt switching occured. Personally I was pleased with the silver pin design and how well the old cow horn polished up. We have done lots of Khanajer but this was our first soirre with an Indian dagger and I'm glad you like it.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

Could you please make detailed pictures of the two first pictures, showing the decoration clearly (without reflection), and also showing the to of the hilt.
I agree with the others that the blade should be turned when it comes to the pistol hilted dagger/blade.
Jens
PS. BTW I don't think I would have removed the old hilt.

Salaams Jens,

I have some pictures without flash but Im not sure they are any better..
I believe the two Koftgari designs on hilt and blade are different as the hilt design carries prominent + + cross symbols but the blade design has non. Florally they are similar. It occured to me that these are from two different weapons 1. Blade from an Indian Khanjar and 2. Hilt from a Katar dagger.

The Katar Hilt fragment seems to be modified as a dagger hilt. I cannot be certain but I suspect that the Koftgari work on the hilt was also done after the match up with the blade. To confuse matters the Koftgari work in the hilt uprights is not consistent on all sides neither is the work on the toe and top of the hilt the same.. The main problem with the hilt is its fragmentary nature seemingly only about 50 % of a katar hilt, somewhat light, weak and wobbly and off balance. Another approach would have been to restore the Katar hilt but Im afraid that was beyond our expertise. That combined with a miniscule tang led us to look at a new hilt project.

We looked at the balance and feel of the new hilt and fitted it accordingly. Putting the hilt the other way round felt odd... We deliberately went for this fit as the best option. Naturally having used pitch to fix blade/hilt the whole project can be reversed but it seems like a good balanced tight fix. so we may stick with it !

Regards Ibrahiim al Balooshi.