My first koummya

Yvain · 7th June 2021, 11:00 PM

Hi everyone,

I never bought a koummya before, as most of those on the market were made for tourists and I'm often unsure whether I'm looking at an authentic one or not. However,
I couldn't pass this one for litteral pocket change, especially since I found it at the first flea market I went to after the lockdown!

It is in bad shape (I will take care of that) and I think it is a rather low grade one, but it seems to me that it was made for traditional use. Indeed, the blade, while simple, seems to be forged ; it also bears a mark at the forte (maybe imitative of European markings?). The wooden hilt is also heavily patinated, the side worn against the body being darker in color.

So what do you think? Good first koummya or did I fell in the old collector trap? 😁 Anyway, thanks in advance for your opinion!

TVV · 8th June 2021, 01:15 AM

I personally like it, it certainly shows age so it could be from the mid 20th century or even older, and as you point out, the blade is decent, forged with a nice fuller, and definitely not a piece of sheet still cut and ground into shape as the souvenir ones tend to be. I think you did well, and this is a great start to a koummaya collection.

Teodor

kahnjar1 · 8th June 2021, 04:14 AM

I agree with Teodor. A nice piece showing (IMHO) genuine age wear particularly to the wooden handle.
Stu

David R · 8th June 2021, 01:37 PM

It looks pretty good. What does the other side of the grip look like, I have an inkling that the grip has come off and been replaced the wrong way round.

Yvain · 8th June 2021, 05:38 PM

Thank you all for your answers! Glad to hear I did okay!

David, I think the handle is in the correct position. Both sides are very similar (see attached pictures), the front one is more rounded, and the back one shows a darker patina, which seems logical since it would rub against the body of the owner.

Kubur · 8th June 2021, 07:26 PM

Well my first koummya was really crap.
Yours is not bad, and ethnographic for sure.
The dagger is good, the scabbard less.
I would say for the dagger around 1900, more or less.
But the scabbard and the ferrule look more recent 1920-30ties.
On your photos it seems that the upper part of the blade was acid etched...
I can see some pattern or decorations.
Good patina on the olive or argan wood grip and descent blade.
well done!

Yvain · 10th June 2021, 01:13 PM

Thanks Kubur! The scabbard and ferrule being later makes sense indeed, you can clearly see the difference in the craftsmanship quality. I'm not sure about the acid etching, are you referring to this part? If so, I can only see the mark but nothing else.

corrado26 · 10th June 2021, 07:21 PM

Could this read LONDON at the upper end of the blade?

7th June 2021, 11:00 PM	#1
Yvain Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: France Posts: 178	My first koummya Hi everyone, I never bought a koummya before, as most of those on the market were made for tourists and I'm often unsure whether I'm looking at an authentic one or not. However, I couldn't pass this one for litteral pocket change, especially since I found it at the first flea market I went to after the lockdown! It is in bad shape (I will take care of that) and I think it is a rather low grade one, but it seems to me that it was made for traditional use. Indeed, the blade, while simple, seems to be forged ; it also bears a mark at the forte (maybe imitative of European markings?). The wooden hilt is also heavily patinated, the side worn against the body being darker in color. So what do you think? Good first koummya or did I fell in the old collector trap? 😁 Anyway, thanks in advance for your opinion! Attached Images

8th June 2021, 05:38 PM	#5
Yvain Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: France Posts: 178	Thank you all for your answers! Glad to hear I did okay! David, I think the handle is in the correct position. Both sides are very similar (see attached pictures), the front one is more rounded, and the back one shows a darker patina, which seems logical since it would rub against the body of the owner. Attached Images

10th June 2021, 01:13 PM	#7
Yvain Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: France Posts: 178	Thanks Kubur! The scabbard and ferrule being later makes sense indeed, you can clearly see the difference in the craftsmanship quality. I'm not sure about the acid etching, are you referring to this part? If so, I can only see the mark but nothing else. Attached Images

8th June 2021, 01:15 AM	#2
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,623	I personally like it, it certainly shows age so it could be from the mid 20th century or even older, and as you point out, the blade is decent, forged with a nice fuller, and definitely not a piece of sheet still cut and ground into shape as the souvenir ones tend to be. I think you did well, and this is a great start to a koummaya collection. Teodor

8th June 2021, 04:14 AM	#3
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,739	I agree with Teodor. A nice piece showing (IMHO) genuine age wear particularly to the wooden handle. Stu

8th June 2021, 01:37 PM	#4
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,079	It looks pretty good. What does the other side of the grip look like, I have an inkling that the grip has come off and been replaced the wrong way round.

8th June 2021, 07:26 PM	#6
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Well my first koummya was really crap. Yours is not bad, and ethnographic for sure. The dagger is good, the scabbard less. I would say for the dagger around 1900, more or less. But the scabbard and the ferrule look more recent 1920-30ties. On your photos it seems that the upper part of the blade was acid etched... I can see some pattern or decorations. Good patina on the olive or argan wood grip and descent blade. well done!

10th June 2021, 07:21 PM	#8
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,204	Could this read LONDON at the upper end of the blade?