A translation from Greek

TVV · 8th August 2005, 03:13 PM

A friend of mine just got a dagger, on which there is a writing that appears to be in Greek. The only thing we can read is the date, 1959, but for the rest I would like to kindly request the help of our Greek friends here: Eftihis and Yannis mainly, sorry if I am missing anyone else. I have attached a picture of the dagger together with one of those typical small qamas from Bulgaria discussed in another thread, and a close-up of the writing. Thank you in advance. Regards,
Teodor

jor-el · 8th August 2005, 03:32 PM

I do not think it says anything special. It is just a name (the above one or first name is not clear enough but it ends to "sini" it can be "efrosini" for example) with last name "souvoka" or "soudoka" and lastly the year 1959.

It is probably an old suvenir knife from Crete (after war they became famous).

Regards,
Themis

TVV · 8th August 2005, 03:46 PM

Thanks Themis, my guess also was it was a souvenir knife from Crete, yet a person's name is a bit more unusual, as those tend to have Kriti or Chania somewhere on them. My curiousity is now satisfied, thank you.
Teodor

Yannis · 8th August 2005, 08:52 PM

It is not Cretan knife. The style is central Greece (not ears in the hilt) and it is not touristic piece but a working knife of a peasant. The origin is mainland Greece.

I can read the word Souvala that is a name of a village. I know 2 villages with this name. One in Aegena island close to Athens. The other is the old name of the village Polydroso up to Parnassos mountain. I think that the knife comes from the second.

I still wonder for the other words. TVV, if you put some sugar on it and take another photo maybe I could read them.

jor-el · 9th August 2005, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yannis

It is not Cretan knife. The style is central Greece (not ears in the hilt) and it is not touristic piece but a working knife of a peasant. The origin is mainland Greece.

I can read the word Souvala that is a name of a village. I know 2 villages with this name. One in Aegena island close to Athens. The other is the old name of the village Polydroso up to Parnassos mountain. I think that the knife comes from the second.

I still wonder for the other words. TVV, if you put some sugar on it and take another photo maybe I could read them.

Much more careful than me. Thanks Yiannis

TVV · 9th August 2005, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yannis

It is not Cretan knife. The style is central Greece (not ears in the hilt) and it is not touristic piece but a working knife of a peasant. The origin is mainland Greece.

I can read the word Souvala that is a name of a village. I know 2 villages with this name. One in Aegena island close to Athens. The other is the old name of the village Polydroso up to Parnassos mountain. I think that the knife comes from the second.

I still wonder for the other words. TVV, if you put some sugar on it and take another photo maybe I could read them.

Thanks Yannis, I will try to obtain a better photo.

TVV · 14th August 2005, 01:29 PM

Here is another attempt at the writing, and especially the first word. Unfortunately, there is pitting exactly at the beginning of the word, so this is the best my friend can do.

Yannis · 15th August 2005, 09:28 AM

Well, I can read:

Top: 2KL A code of something, I have no idea for what.
Middle: Ntilazounis (?) A family name. Most possible the maker's not the owner's name
Down: Souvala 1959

I think it is all I can do now. I will look it again. Maybe I can find any referernce.

TVV · 15th August 2005, 11:20 AM

Thanks a lot Yannis, I appreciate it.

8th August 2005, 03:13 PM	#1
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,624	A translation from Greek A friend of mine just got a dagger, on which there is a writing that appears to be in Greek. The only thing we can read is the date, 1959, but for the rest I would like to kindly request the help of our Greek friends here: Eftihis and Yannis mainly, sorry if I am missing anyone else. I have attached a picture of the dagger together with one of those typical small qamas from Bulgaria discussed in another thread, and a close-up of the writing. Thank you in advance. Regards, Teodor Attached Images

14th August 2005, 01:29 PM	#7
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,624	Here is another attempt at the writing, and especially the first word. Unfortunately, there is pitting exactly at the beginning of the word, so this is the best my friend can do. Attached Images

8th August 2005, 03:32 PM	#2
jor-el Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 17	I do not think it says anything special. It is just a name (the above one or first name is not clear enough but it ends to "sini" it can be "efrosini" for example) with last name "souvoka" or "soudoka" and lastly the year 1959. It is probably an old suvenir knife from Crete (after war they became famous). Regards, Themis

8th August 2005, 03:46 PM	#3
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,624	Thanks Themis, my guess also was it was a souvenir knife from Crete, yet a person's name is a bit more unusual, as those tend to have Kriti or Chania somewhere on them. My curiousity is now satisfied, thank you. Teodor

8th August 2005, 08:52 PM	#4
Yannis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Athens Greece Posts: 479	It is not Cretan knife. The style is central Greece (not ears in the hilt) and it is not touristic piece but a working knife of a peasant. The origin is mainland Greece. I can read the word Souvala that is a name of a village. I know 2 villages with this name. One in Aegena island close to Athens. The other is the old name of the village Polydroso up to Parnassos mountain. I think that the knife comes from the second. I still wonder for the other words. TVV, if you put some sugar on it and take another photo maybe I could read them.

15th August 2005, 09:28 AM	#8
Yannis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Athens Greece Posts: 479	Well, I can read: Top: 2KL A code of something, I have no idea for what. Middle: Ntilazounis (?) A family name. Most possible the maker's not the owner's name Down: Souvala 1959 I think it is all I can do now. I will look it again. Maybe I can find any referernce.

15th August 2005, 11:20 AM	#9
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,624	Thanks a lot Yannis, I appreciate it.