Old Tuareg dagger

Ian · 19th December 2023, 06:49 AM

A nice old Tuareg dagger from around 1900. Pictures are from the auction site.
Overall length: 38 cm. (15 in.)

.

Sajen · 19th December 2023, 12:01 PM

Hello Ian,

Nice Tuareg dagger but I doubt that it is old like this, I would place it in the mid. 20th century. Is it yours now?

Regards,
Detlef

Ian · 19th December 2023, 12:59 PM

Hi Detlef,

It is slowly finding its way to me from northern England. The age estimate was provided by the auction house. I'll know more when it is here.

Regards,

Ian

Sajen · 19th December 2023, 03:39 PM

Hello Ian,

We all know that descriptions from auction houses could be very wrong. I've handled some of these daggers before and never had the feeling to hold an antique example in my hands. Look also here: http://www.vikingsword.com/lew/w1147/w1147.html
I have a very similar example like the one from Lew, it's of very good workmanship but it's for sure not antique.

Regards,
Detlef

Kmaddock · 19th December 2023, 03:40 PM

Hi Ian
I have a Tuareg tobacco pouch and the decoration looks very similar I will post up pictures later.
Regards
Ken

TVV · 19th December 2023, 05:31 PM

While I agree with Detlef on dating, this is a really attractive dagger that showcases plenty of craftsmanship.

Bob A · 19th December 2023, 07:35 PM

Here's an example of a 19th century Tuareg dagger:

Name: Tuareg 1.jpg
Views: 1421
Size: 206.4 KB

Description:
Finer and much earlier work than generally encountered, the curved horn grip inlaid with silver wire in delicate geometrical motifs, the pommel and ferrule of silver with engraved borders and the name AHMAD IBN BARAM in Arabic. The brass guard with expanded and pierced trefoil terminals. The handwrought, curved blade double-edged, with distinct central ridge and applied and engraved brass section to forte. Second half of the 19th century.

Martin Lubojacky · 21st December 2023, 07:41 PM

The dagger is really nice. nevertheless the dating by the auction house is not correct, I think. (I saw just made daggers like this in around the year 2000, which ofcourse does not mean that this is not much older..., but 1900 ?)
Martin

Lee · 22nd December 2023, 04:51 PM

I will 'guestimate' that the original poster's dagger is from the 1970s. It is an attractive piece of work. When I traveled in the area around 2000, this was already an old style. Our guide cautioned that after five years, leather in that environment could look pretty old.

19th December 2023, 06:49 AM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,203	Old Tuareg dagger A nice old Tuareg dagger from around 1900. Pictures are from the auction site. Overall length: 38 cm. (15 in.) . Attached Images

19th December 2023, 07:35 PM	#7
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 427	Here's an example of a 19th century Tuareg dagger: Description: Finer and much earlier work than generally encountered, the curved horn grip inlaid with silver wire in delicate geometrical motifs, the pommel and ferrule of silver with engraved borders and the name AHMAD IBN BARAM in Arabic. The brass guard with expanded and pierced trefoil terminals. The handwrought, curved blade double-edged, with distinct central ridge and applied and engraved brass section to forte. Second half of the 19th century.

19th December 2023, 12:01 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,788	Hello Ian, Nice Tuareg dagger but I doubt that it is old like this, I would place it in the mid. 20th century. Is it yours now? Regards, Detlef

19th December 2023, 12:59 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,203	Hi Detlef, It is slowly finding its way to me from northern England. The age estimate was provided by the auction house. I'll know more when it is here. Regards, Ian

19th December 2023, 03:39 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,788	Hello Ian, We all know that descriptions from auction houses could be very wrong. I've handled some of these daggers before and never had the feeling to hold an antique example in my hands. Look also here: http://www.vikingsword.com/lew/w1147/w1147.html I have a very similar example like the one from Lew, it's of very good workmanship but it's for sure not antique. Regards, Detlef

19th December 2023, 03:40 PM	#5
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Hi Ian I have a Tuareg tobacco pouch and the decoration looks very similar I will post up pictures later. Regards Ken

19th December 2023, 05:31 PM	#6
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,625	While I agree with Detlef on dating, this is a really attractive dagger that showcases plenty of craftsmanship.

21st December 2023, 07:41 PM	#8
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 841	The dagger is really nice. nevertheless the dating by the auction house is not correct, I think. (I saw just made daggers like this in around the year 2000, which ofcourse does not mean that this is not much older..., but 1900 ?) Martin

22nd December 2023, 04:51 PM	#9
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 914	I will 'guestimate' that the original poster's dagger is from the 1970s. It is an attractive piece of work. When I traveled in the area around 2000, this was already an old style. Our guide cautioned that after five years, leather in that environment could look pretty old.