Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > Ethnographic Weapons
FAQ Calendar Today's Posts Search

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 7th June 2021, 11:00 PM   #1
Yvain
Member
 
Yvain's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: France
Posts: 178
Default 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
      
Yvain is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8th June 2021, 01:15 AM   #2
TVV
Member
 
TVV's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 1,625
Default

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
TVV is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8th June 2021, 04:14 AM   #3
kahnjar1
Member
 
kahnjar1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND
Posts: 2,741
Default

I agree with Teodor. A nice piece showing (IMHO) genuine age wear particularly to the wooden handle.
Stu
kahnjar1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8th June 2021, 01:37 PM   #4
David R
Member
 
David R's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,079
Default

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.
David R is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8th June 2021, 05:38 PM   #5
Yvain
Member
 
Yvain's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: France
Posts: 178
Default

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
  
Yvain is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8th June 2021, 07:26 PM   #6
Kubur
Member
 
Kubur's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,145
Default

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!
Kubur is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10th June 2021, 01:13 PM   #7
Yvain
Member
 
Yvain's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: France
Posts: 178
Default

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
 
Yvain is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10th June 2021, 07:21 PM   #8
corrado26
Member
 
corrado26's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Black Forest, Germany
Posts: 1,207
Default

Could this read LONDON at the upper end of the blade?
corrado26 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:18 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.