Is this a good, bad or average Koummya?

[Andy Stevens]

I'm ready for the tears and tissues so give it to me straight gentlemen; good, bad or just ugly?

I've seen so many nasty examples over the years that I'm never really sure whats good in the world of Koummyas. This one feels pretty ok, worn in all the right places, blades strong and sharp. Still never sure...go on... I can take like a man

[ALEX]

Andy,
It all depends on what one compares it with:-)
AnthonyTiri in his book (pages 32-33) shows Moroccan 19th Century Koummya examples and references their quality. Based on scabbard details, yours would be of lesser quality.

[ward]

Most of these koummya are 20th century. From Fes to Tiznit you find piles and piles of these in the souqs. In the north more brass mounted ones in the south more silver mounted. Yours is about average quality

[kai]

Hello Andy,

This looks like a fairly good blade to me - do you have calipers to exactly measure blade thickness?

The hilt also looks old and genuine (the metal crest on the peacock pommel is missing, obviously).

I agree that the scroll work on hilt and scabbard isn't on par with those picture book examples but if the blade has a decent thickness, I'd be fairly confident that this is a (tribal?) fighting piece rather than one of the showy wanna-be koummyas sold to travellers of pleasure since the late 19th century...

Happy New Year to all forumites!

Regards,
Kai

[Andy Stevens]

Thanks chaps,
Kai, the blade at its thickest is 3.5mm, seems to my eye anyway, a well made and well handled weapon. I'm edging towards the middle ground on this one- may find a bit of wall space for it-thats until a better one comes along for a nice price Thanks again

[Jim McDougall]

It seems to me that much like the janbiyya, khanjhar and many forms of dagger which are still worn in various cultural spheres as elements of traditional costume, the koummya is still worn as well. In this case, wouldnt many of the more modern examples of these weapons be intended as genuine traditional pieces for actual wear as well as being picked up by tourists?

It seems that most of the koummya that have been posted in recent times here have typically been quite modern. Does anyone have earlier examples they might share to get a better idea of how these might appear?

I think these are very attractive daggers, and was once told the pommel reflected the influence of earlier Italian weapons of that trade along the North African coastal ports, specifically the cinqueda. I would very much like to hear thoughts on that, or other observations on this distinctive pommel form.

All best regards,
Jim

[ward]

I have never seen anyone wear a koummya anywhere in Morocco. Moroccans have had tourist for a long time except for kif,sardines,and phosphores there is not much else to export.

[Jim McDougall]

Thanks for the clarification Ward. I wasn't sure how widespread the continued wearing of these weapons remained as with the janbiyya in Arabia and so on. It's always good to hear more current observations from those who have travelled the regions in discussion.
All the best,
Jim

[kai]

Hello Andy,

the blade at its thickest is 3.5mm

That makes it a real weapon (rather than a mere dress item or tourist grade toy) in my book!

Regards,
Kai

[kai]

Hello Jim,

Does anyone have earlier examples they might share to get a better idea of how these might appear?

Here are some nice examples and a good discussion:
http://www.vikingsword.com/ethsword/koummya/index.html

Regards,
Kai

[Jim McDougall]

Thank you so much Kai! Asleep at the wheel here!! I shoulda remembered that outstanding discussion that was right here all the time. Sometimes I forget the great essays written here on these various weapons, and the handy resource they provide.
All the best,
Jim