Somali dagger - advice sought on repair

colin henshaw · 1st October 2017, 02:24 PM

Wondering if anyone on the forum can advise on this - I have a Somali dagger as per images, which is in good condition except for an unsightly small gap where the horn and ivory sections should meet flush on the hilt. Perhaps caused by corrosion of the iron tang ?

I am considering disassembling the hilt and cementing the parts back together so the sections meet, however am anxious to avoid any damage to the ivory, patina or elsewhere. Has anyone experience of this sort of issue ? Its the sort of minor job I can imagine easily going wrong if not handled correctly.

There may have been a thin brass or zinc "washer" between the two sections originally ? Looks like there is some sort of fibre or cloth wrapped around the tang beneath the stacked sections.

If anyone has attempted this sort of work and can advise, it would be appreciated, thanks.

1st October 2017, 02:24 PM	#1
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Somali dagger - advice sought on repair Wondering if anyone on the forum can advise on this - I have a Somali dagger as per images, which is in good condition except for an unsightly small gap where the horn and ivory sections should meet flush on the hilt. Perhaps caused by corrosion of the iron tang ? I am considering disassembling the hilt and cementing the parts back together so the sections meet, however am anxious to avoid any damage to the ivory, patina or elsewhere. Has anyone experience of this sort of issue ? Its the sort of minor job I can imagine easily going wrong if not handled correctly. There may have been a thin brass or zinc "washer" between the two sections originally ? Looks like there is some sort of fibre or cloth wrapped around the tang beneath the stacked sections. If anyone has attempted this sort of work and can advise, it would be appreciated, thanks. Attached Images