Middle eastern daggers for comment

Klop · 25th October 2020, 12:29 PM

dear members,

I recently acquired these daggers that were labelled as Nepalese, which of course they aren't. The Shibriya are no mystery but if anyone could translate/explane the meaning of the stamp that would be great! Age mid 20th century?

The jambiya type I don't recognise, any input on origin would be apperciated. This one seems to have more age to it, the handle is horn and I like the pommel shaped like an arrow. The decoration in the blade itself doesn't follow the curve and would eventually run off the blade, that's a bit odd (or lack of attention to detail).

Kind regards,
Eric.

motan · 26th October 2020, 05:56 PM

Hi Klop,
I cannot add too much to what you already said. You are pretty much right. The white metal/low grade silver is a Jordanian shibriya from Jordan. I can not translate what is written on the blade, but some other forum members could help. There appear to be a date which could read 1964, although it is so badly written that this is just a guess. It could be right because this type was made from about 1940 until the mid 1960s, but by the look alone I would guess it is about 10-15 years older.

The second one is a bit older to judge by the better and more curvy blade, but not older than 1930. Pommel rings mostly disappeared in the 1940s.

As for the 3rd one, it is most probably from Southern Syria and is somewhat older, as you mentioned, between late 19th c. and the interbellum. I have seen very similar ones in friends' collections. The one in the pic is mine and it is older.
Your daggers are all "village" types, like most daggers from this region and not known for great quality. They are, however, authentic and not tourist souvenirs.

Klop · 26th October 2020, 09:35 PM

Dear Motan,

thanks for your input, southern Syria I wouldn't have guessed so good to know. I like the idea of these not being souvenirs but just honest "regular Joe" knives. Also thanks for the picture of your dagger, the decorated reinforcement rib in the middle look really nice! Indeed a higher quality.

Kind regards,
Eric.

25th October 2020, 12:29 PM	#1
Klop Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 63	Middle eastern daggers for comment dear members, I recently acquired these daggers that were labelled as Nepalese, which of course they aren't. The Shibriya are no mystery but if anyone could translate/explane the meaning of the stamp that would be great! Age mid 20th century? The jambiya type I don't recognise, any input on origin would be apperciated. This one seems to have more age to it, the handle is horn and I like the pommel shaped like an arrow. The decoration in the blade itself doesn't follow the curve and would eventually run off the blade, that's a bit odd (or lack of attention to detail). Kind regards, Eric. Attached Images

26th October 2020, 05:56 PM	#2
motan Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Jerusalem Posts: 274	Hi Klop, I cannot add too much to what you already said. You are pretty much right. The white metal/low grade silver is a Jordanian shibriya from Jordan. I can not translate what is written on the blade, but some other forum members could help. There appear to be a date which could read 1964, although it is so badly written that this is just a guess. It could be right because this type was made from about 1940 until the mid 1960s, but by the look alone I would guess it is about 10-15 years older. The second one is a bit older to judge by the better and more curvy blade, but not older than 1930. Pommel rings mostly disappeared in the 1940s. As for the 3rd one, it is most probably from Southern Syria and is somewhat older, as you mentioned, between late 19th c. and the interbellum. I have seen very similar ones in friends' collections. The one in the pic is mine and it is older. Your daggers are all "village" types, like most daggers from this region and not known for great quality. They are, however, authentic and not tourist souvenirs. Attached Images

26th October 2020, 09:35 PM	#3
Klop Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 63	Dear Motan, thanks for your input, southern Syria I wouldn't have guessed so good to know. I like the idea of these not being souvenirs but just honest "regular Joe" knives. Also thanks for the picture of your dagger, the decorated reinforcement rib in the middle look really nice! Indeed a higher quality. Kind regards, Eric.