Dagger, North Africa ?? Need ID
 

Hi All, Here's a dagger I picked up recently and I have no idea where it was born but I suspect North Africa or Middle East.
It's very well made and the handle seems to be made of blackened brass with bone or ivory spacers and decorated spacers of some other material.
It's 10.5 inches overall with a 5.75 inch blade. No Sheath came with it.
Has Anybody seen a knife like this before ?

Thanks to All,
Warren in Arizona

Dagger is Ethiopian. So it is East Africa rather than North Africa. Nice piece.

Thanks Roanoa, At least I was in the correct continent, Is there anything else you can tell me about these type of daggers, like age and usage ? What would the correct sheath look like ?
The workmanship is outstanding, it looks as good as some custom made knives you would find in Europe or the US.

Thanks Again,

Warren in Arizona

Hello,

As far as I was informed in National Museum in Addis Abeba several years ago - this dagger shoud be comming from the central part of Ethiopia. I have never seen the original sheath and nowadays they use too adjust old brass heelpieces from ethiopian sword-scabbards.
Regards,

martin

I am in the process of moving and all my "stuff" is in storage, so I cannot post pictures of some similar daggers. However, on the thread "Ethiopian anyone?" I posted the picture of 3 Ethiopian daggers that use the furniture from a sword as a scabbard. Check that out.

Yes, Thanks Ron, I did search for information and found that Thread. The dagger handle on the left in the pic is very much like mine. Someday I'd like to see the blade of that one. I hope your move goes well.

Cheers,
Warren in Arizona