Shabriya

[ariel]

The 1947 date etched into the blade, but it is rather funny: Arabic Islamic numerals, but the date is written using Christian calendar:-)
Yes, most likely Jordan.

[Hombre]

Thank you so very much for your opinions, guys!
I bow my head for your knowledge!
Anyway, it is not a tourist knife or....

Best,
Stefan

[Kubur]

Originally Posted by Hombre

Anyway, it is not a tourist knife or....

Well if you look at our forum, you will see some bedouins in Petra with the same knives...
So it's not a tourist object but probably a colonial souvenir, many British brought back this kind of knife.

[Kubur]

Originally Posted by ariel

The 1947 date etched into the blade, but it is rather funny: Arabic Islamic numerals, but the date is written using Christian calendar:-)

This is very common and not unusual in Jordan, Syria, Algeria, Morocco...
It's what they called the progress of colonisation.

[Sajen]

Hi Stefan,

Very nice example! Would like to see pictures when it is polished up a little bit!

Regards,
Detlef

[motan]

Hi Stefan,
I agree with all above. Very typical style for Jordan and for the period, so 100% Jordan. As Kubur mentioned, these were produced in relatively large numbers and brought back by British soldiers as souvenirs, but were also used locally. For example, the Arab legion had them as part of their standard attire, though they were not provided by the army.
I attached a few pictures. Sorry for the quality, but I stole them from the web and you can see that. The first is of an Arab Legion soldier in full attire, the second could be from the legion, but also a Palestinian rebel judging by the rifle, which does not look British to me (?) and the black and white headgear. In the third, there are soldiers of the camel corps of the Arab Legion at a social event. You can see different styles of shibriyas, some of which are older and others are contemporary with yours.
As for the dates, Gregorian date in Arabic numerals was the standard practice in the region after WWI. Hijri dates almost always come on daggers from the Ottoman period.

[Kubur]

Hi Guys,

Another one that I got recently.
What do you think Motan?
I would say Palestinian 1914-1918...

[Hombre]

Thank you so very much guys for your opinions!
I really appreciate it! You are the best!!

/Stefan

[motan]

Hi Kubur. Thanks for showing me this piece. I think it is a nice piece (meaning one I would like to have), but then, I am a bit crazy for this type.
After a few years of research, I know a something about classical shibriyas, but I am still trying to find out when and where all these other types from about the same region were made, without much success.
Daggers with shibriya hilt and a dog-leg type blade are known to locals and most people think they are from either Palestine, South Syria (Syrian Desert) or from Jordan. The question is if this type predates the classical shibriya or comes from areas to the north of shibriya country.
Yours could be from Palestine, but also has many features typical of early Jordanian shibriyas, like the use of thick brass sheet, the decorative band over a horn hilt and the triangular pommel with a medallion and ring. The scabbard probably had leather and that is a Syrian feature, but the lower part of the hilt and decoration of the scabbard look Palestinian. In short, I don't know, but I think that your assessment is not far from the truth, though it may very well be from late 19th c.
Artzi thinks that this is a Palestinian type and he is an authority, but I am not 100% sure. I have added a few pics from Artzi's site described as Palestinian and also some from my own pics collection.

[Kubur]

Originally Posted by Hombre

Thank you so very much guys for your opinions!
I really appreciate it! You are the best!!

/Stefan

am I the best or Motan?

Thanks for your kind comments