19th Century Omani Khanjar?

[harrywagner]

Sorry, but I am not buying that this is late 20th. No way. It is at least late 19th or first half 20th. I have asked the seller when they bought it, but our lack of a common language is a problem. His English is only slightly better than my poor French, so a clear understanding of when this actually was is still a "work in progress". I "think" what he is telling me is that his Father bought it between 1940 and 1950. Remember that the French had a big presence in the ME at that time.

I think this is late 19th or early to mid 20th, and until I am convinced otherwise I will be "sticking to my guns".

Harry

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by harrywagner

Sorry, but I am not buying that this is late 20th. No way. It is at least late 19th or first half 20th. I have asked the seller when they bought it, but our lack of a common language is a problem. His English is only slightly better than my poor French, so a clear understanding of when this actually was is still a "work in progress". I "think" what he is telling me is that his Father bought it between 1940 and 1950. Remember that the French had a big presence in the ME at that time.

I think this is late 19th or early to mid 20th, and until I am convinced otherwise I will be "sticking to my guns".

Harry

If you read Lofty's first Para carefully you will see that he says that "if the father made it" then it would be earlier. Perhaps if you posted, as he suggests, a clearer pic of the inscription then things can be further clarified.
Also bear in mind that the second half of the 20th c is from 1950 onwards, which could possibly mean that the Khanjar is 66 years old at least.
As has been discussed elsewhere many times, it is difficult to accurately age these items as they were not made in a factory, so no actual records exist. The only possibility is to have WATERTIGHT provenance or at least a VALID makers mark/signature.
I personally do not doubt Lofty's dating, as he and others of this Forum who actually live in the ME, have done much research on weapons of that region.
Stu

[kronckew]

i've been to al hasa back in the early 1980's with some friends, scenery was interesting tho mostly shades of brown. interesting 'caves' & fissures in the al qara mountain and an ancient old man still making clay pots, jugs, etc from the local clay. nice old souks, i remember a bunch of copper/brass artisans tapping away making bowls, trays, coffee/tea pots etc. in front of their shops. i gather it's been 'modernised' quite a bit, shopping malls, etc. now. was a nice, tho warm, day trip down from dhahran for the wives and kids.

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by harrywagner

Sorry, but I am not buying that this is late 20th. No way. It is at least late 19th or first half 20th.............................................. ..........I think this is late 19th or early to mid 20th, and until I am convinced otherwise I will be "sticking to my guns".

Harry

Harry, do not under estimate how worn an item can look when used daily in a desert environment. I have noticed this with many Arabian jambiya I have seen, they look worn and well used but I know that they probably not nearly as old as they appear. You have a very nice, complete set, it is possible that the belt is older and was reused, who knows.