Please, help requested ...

ALEX · 19th April 2009, 10:18 AM

Teodor, not bad for non-Russian speaker:-)
Dom, Teodor got it right. These are two separate Russian names, and the "ъ" letter signifies 'old Russian' language. Could be factory, maker(s), owner(s), etc. but definitely "Nikitin Molev" are two (or one) last name(s), most likely two, as in case of one name it'd spell as "Nikitin-Molev".
I also agree, the fittings look new, especially the handle, but the blade shows some age based on the picture, so could be old.
But, the "ъ" in the end of 'Molev' is used to make a word ending 'soft', just like on the famous "Medunovъ" mark. Conventionally, one would expect it to be present after 'Nikitin' as well, but it is not. I am not versed in the 'old Russian' grammar, but let's see if other members would be able to clarify my concern.

TKV · 19th April 2009, 11:35 AM

Both "Nikitin" and "Molev" look like Russian surnames. I think it's not the full name of one person.
As it used to be on caucasian kindjals first name may be the owner's surname and second may be the maker's surname.

ariel · 19th April 2009, 01:03 PM

The absence of Ъ at the end of the name "Nikitin" is puzzling. It clearly strays away from old Russian orthography.
Also, the configuration of the pommel, the liberal use of heavy cast brass fittings, the diamond shape of the blade, overall small size and the ornaments remind me most of Balkan work.

Dom · 19th April 2009, 05:18 PM

Thanks Gentlemen

I was sure to count on you

à +

Dom

TVV · 19th April 2009, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

The absence of Ъ at the end of the name "Nikitin" is puzzling. It clearly strays away from old Russian orthography.
Also, the configuration of the pommel, the liberal use of heavy cast brass fittings, the diamond shape of the blade, overall small size and the ornaments remind me most of Balkan work.

I thought the same thing, but the names sound distinctly Russian. There was a famous knife-making factory in Gabrovo, Bulgaria, which supplied the army with bayonets, but also produced kindjals - "Avramov & Kovachev". If I have Dom's permission to use the pictures, I can ask around.
Teodor

Dom · 19th April 2009, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVV

If I have Dom's permission to use the pictures, I can ask around.
Teodor

Hi Teodor

you may proceed, full permission

à +

Dom

TVV · 22nd April 2009, 07:54 PM

Dom, the marking on the kindjal is unknown in Bulgaria. While this does not rule out the Balkans as a possibility, I believe the Serbian spelling would be different, and so the manufacturer should be sought in Russia. The names are Russian anyway.
Sorry I can not be of more help.
Teodor

Dom · 23rd April 2009, 09:47 AM

Thanks again Teodor
don't apologize

you have clears up very well the situation
and it's very essential and valuable

best regards

à +

Dom

19th April 2009, 10:18 AM	#1
ALEX Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 936	Teodor, not bad for non-Russian speaker:-) Dom, Teodor got it right. These are two separate Russian names, and the "ъ" letter signifies 'old Russian' language. Could be factory, maker(s), owner(s), etc. but definitely "Nikitin Molev" are two (or one) last name(s), most likely two, as in case of one name it'd spell as "Nikitin-Molev". I also agree, the fittings look new, especially the handle, but the blade shows some age based on the picture, so could be old. But, the "ъ" in the end of 'Molev' is used to make a word ending 'soft', just like on the famous "Medunovъ" mark. Conventionally, one would expect it to be present after 'Nikitin' as well, but it is not. I am not versed in the 'old Russian' grammar, but let's see if other members would be able to clarify my concern. Last edited by ALEX; 19th April 2009 at 10:31 AM.

19th April 2009, 11:35 AM	#2
TKV Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 32	Both "Nikitin" and "Molev" look like Russian surnames. I think it's not the full name of one person. As it used to be on caucasian kindjals first name may be the owner's surname and second may be the maker's surname.

19th April 2009, 01:03 PM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	The absence of Ъ at the end of the name "Nikitin" is puzzling. It clearly strays away from old Russian orthography. Also, the configuration of the pommel, the liberal use of heavy cast brass fittings, the diamond shape of the blade, overall small size and the ornaments remind me most of Balkan work.

19th April 2009, 05:18 PM	#4
Dom Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Paris (FR*) Cairo (EG) Posts: 1,142	Thanks Gentlemen I was sure to count on you à + Dom

22nd April 2009, 07:54 PM	#7
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,666	Dom, the marking on the kindjal is unknown in Bulgaria. While this does not rule out the Balkans as a possibility, I believe the Serbian spelling would be different, and so the manufacturer should be sought in Russia. The names are Russian anyway. Sorry I can not be of more help. Teodor

23rd April 2009, 09:47 AM	#8
Dom Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Paris (FR*) Cairo (EG) Posts: 1,142	Thanks again Teodor don't apologize you have clears up very well the situation and it's very essential and valuable best regards à + Dom