Some Jambiyas

[kahnjar1]

Still on the same track, here are some examples from my collection of Meccan and Omani Khanjars.
The first 2 pics are of Meccan Jambiyas and the last 2 of Omani Khanjars.
Clear difference in the hilt is evident.
Regards Stuart

[Lew]

Stuart

Is it just the hilt or are Omani khanjars larger in stature then the UAE ones?

[Oriental-Arms]

Two comments to this interesting thread:


1) Styles: I wish to suggest a somewhat different approach to the different styles. I would rather define the style on the basis of the scabbard shape and not the hilt shape. Reason being that today it is quite difficult to find a good Khanjar with the handle born together with the scabbard. Blades and handles were commonly replaced, either because the blade was worn or just a wish to wear a new or different style handle. In the last ten or twenty years it become even more difficult. The demands (especially in the far east) for rhino horn in view of the imposed limitation of trade in it, caused many owners / dealers and traders to remove rhino handle from old khanjars and replace it with newly made silver or plastic handles.

I have in my collection quite many Khanjars from all over the Arabian Peninsula, some are with replaced handles. But even those which I trust to be original styles comes with a variety of handles. Best example may be are the daggers from the Hadramouth region, with the very high rising scabbard tip. I have seen those with old rhino handles with a round bulbous pommel, with I shaped handles with flat pommel and all the other variations. Yet, they are all from Hadramouth.

2) Dating: When this style of dagger appeared on the scene is a mystery. I have not seen in person any Khanjar older than early 19 C, and most of them are late 19 to early 20 C and later. Alain Jacob in his book les armes blanches du monde Islamic show few ones dated to the 18 C. but I have my reservations and I think they are all 19 C. The only earlier one with a serious provenance is shown by R. Elgood The arms and armor of Arabia dated to 1763, already mentioned above (and to be honest, if I would have seen this one in the market I would date it to the 19 C. as well).

[kahnjar1]

Hi Lew,
Not necessarily larger as size does vary even within a given type. The size of the 2 Meccan items shown is quite different. The one on the black belt is quite a deal smaller than the other. The so called GUSBI of southern Arabia has a very much longer hilt than other Kahnjar of the general area.
Regards Stuart

[Steve]

Hi folks,
Merry Xmas to you all. This is my first posting although I read a lot of your discussions but unfortunately have been a little lazy to post myself. However I feel that I can add some worthwhile comments here.

With regards to the khanjars originally posted by Gav. I have found them all over the UAE and Omani area. Many are displayed in the Dubai museum - for what it is. However don't rush there as it's quite small. I generally refer to them as Omani style from the SE corner of the Arabian Peninsula. The book " Disappearing Treasures of Oman" by Forster gives a pretty good description of these khanjars with some indication of identifying the town of manufacture by the scabbard design. In addition, having looked at a few of these khanjars I think the design of the toe or chape could give an indication of age as a cheap rounded version seems to have appeared over the last 30 years to make tourist manufacture easy.

With regards to identifying the different styles of jambiyas over the broader Peninsula. This I think is an interesting topic. Just in the southern Peninsula area I think there are at least twelve khanjar/jambiya varieties classified on regional or design criteria. Varying from Oman khanjars to the Sabiki but not entering into the realms of swords.

As raised by Artzi it is difficult to classify these daggers as the locals tend to mix and match the hilts, blades and scabbards depending on fashion. However the purists in Yemen believe you have to consider both the hilt and scabbard in identifying the dagger. Both pieces had an original birth and match. You are more likely to get a correct match of original dagger and scabbard with those pieces where the fitting between these items is very precise - example Omani khanjar - and less likely with a Sanaa thouma where any dagger which fits can be used.

I agree in that it's difficult to find pieces over 200 years old and it's very pleasing to have the 1763 example mentioned in Elgood. I also would also not have classified it as 250 years old just on the belt design. I have seen a similar sheath to this one. Very old and worn with the stamp of the Imam in the silver. Pre 200 years I think we are going into the era of iron or chunky silver scabbards which is a whole other topic.

Guys, thats about it for now. Hope I have added something.
Regards,
Steve