Mystery dagger

Montino Bourbon · 27th April 2012, 08:01 PM

I just picked this up from Artzi over at Oriental Arms. I don't think it was displayed long enough anybody else to see it. He wasn't sure of what it was or where it was from, and neither am I. The binding on the sheath looks South Asian, the chip carving on the sheath looks like it's from the Balkans, the blade is well forged and nicely fullered, and I don't have the slightest idea of where it's from. Help! This forum is my only hope!

The blade does seem to have a slightly African form. It feels really good in the hand, an absolutely functional blade.

spiral · 27th April 2012, 08:50 PM

The scabbard is 100% from Nepal, the carved design is identical to that found on many wooden kukri & knife scabbards.

The blade could also be Nepali manufacture, looking at it.

Ill dig out some photos....

Spiral

Edited for pic.
Heres one of Dereks kuks over at IKRHS.

Montino Bourbon · 27th April 2012, 09:23 PM

you're right… The carving is absolutely Nepali, as is the wrapping. Now how about the blade? Have you ever seen anything like it?

Kipinga50 · 27th April 2012, 11:41 PM

It's absolutly not African. The forme of the blade look like Hausa, but the work is very different.

spiral · 28th April 2012, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Montino Bourbon

you're right… The carving is absolutely Nepali, as is the wrapping. Now how about the blade? Have you ever seen anything like it?

Not that I recall, {Havent checked my photo libary though, this is all of the top of the head.}but the style of manufacture is very Nepalese Kami though & the factors & contracters there will make any design you wish, They regulary make stuff for westerners from photos or originals sent to them, according to what one of the main kukri exporters has told me. That includes many non traditional designs, bowies etc.

Artzi has had many Nepalese kukri & knives over the years with identicaly carved scabbards,{ I bought one of him about 9 years ago.} So it might be worth asking what he thinks about it, Hes seen so much after all.

Spiral

Lew · 28th April 2012, 02:25 AM

So your the one who beat to the punch

. Definately from Nepal probably second half of the 20th century.

Montino Bourbon · 28th April 2012, 08:12 AM

yeah, I like unusual things. It popped up and I hesitated... for a few hours. It's a very unusual design; it also reminds me of a keris buda. Do you think an etch would reveal something?

27th April 2012, 08:01 PM	#1
Montino Bourbon Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 301	Mystery dagger I just picked this up from Artzi over at Oriental Arms. I don't think it was displayed long enough anybody else to see it. He wasn't sure of what it was or where it was from, and neither am I. The binding on the sheath looks South Asian, the chip carving on the sheath looks like it's from the Balkans, the blade is well forged and nicely fullered, and I don't have the slightest idea of where it's from. Help! This forum is my only hope! The blade does seem to have a slightly African form. It feels really good in the hand, an absolutely functional blade. Attached Images

27th April 2012, 08:50 PM	#2
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	The scabbard is 100% from Nepal, the carved design is identical to that found on many wooden kukri & knife scabbards. The blade could also be Nepali manufacture, looking at it. Ill dig out some photos.... Spiral Edited for pic. Heres one of Dereks kuks over at IKRHS. Last edited by spiral; 27th April 2012 at 08:57 PM. Reason: photos..

27th April 2012, 09:23 PM	#3
Montino Bourbon Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 301	you're right… The carving is absolutely Nepali, as is the wrapping. Now how about the blade? Have you ever seen anything like it?

27th April 2012, 11:41 PM	#4
Kipinga50 Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Sao Vicente Posts: 28	It's absolutly not African. The forme of the blade look like Hausa, but the work is very different.

28th April 2012, 02:25 AM	#6
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	So your the one who beat to the punch . Definately from Nepal probably second half of the 20th century.

28th April 2012, 08:12 AM	#7
Montino Bourbon Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 301	yeah, I like unusual things. It popped up and I hesitated... for a few hours. It's a very unusual design; it also reminds me of a keris buda. Do you think an etch would reveal something?