Omani (?) Khanjar, an old one ?

[francantolin]

Hello Everybody,

I'd like to show you this khanjar with his belt,
I think it comes from Oman.

Not big, the blade is just 5,5 inches long,
Maybe it was made for a child/ young boy ?

The seller told me it's a really old piece, 19th century.
The blade seems old and of good quality but...

Idem: it told me about rhino hilt.

It looks more like cattle horn but it's translucent
( I know, this criteria is not always reliable and it can be ''light'' horn. ).

Any comments welcomed.

Thank you , kind regards

[francantolin]

The hilt...

[francantolin]

And translucence...

Rhino or not, it's nice ! seems amber !

Than you for your reply !

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

This is an interesting arrangement from either Oman or the UAE... I think around 1970. With a good clean up including the blade it will be quite a nice item. I suggest that the belt is the same origin as the Khanjar since the chevron leather pieces holding the belt to the weapon are the same pattern as on the main body beneath the belt section. This design >>>>>>> as a vertical pattern seen on UAE Khanjars (but also on some Omani ones)

It is noted that chevron design occurs on some UAE weapons although the Khanjar appears small in this case and Sur in Oman is more reknowned for this compact size... so it could be from there. I add that it may also be a Baatinah Khanjar of the Oman Coast NW of Muscat..No apologies for the broad brush possible origins but that's how Omani Khanjars can often appear.

Hilt material as you note is potentially from either Cow or possibly Giraffe although I see disintegration in the T shaped top possibly indicating bovine … but actually very nice grain and as you note translucent.

Please see the variations at my Thread; The Omani Khanjar. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...=Omani+Khanjar

[francantolin]

Hello,

Thank you Ibrahiim for your precious comments !
I thought it was an early piece but...

Hopefully there are still good artists craftmen in Oman or UAE,
as long as possible !!!

I cleaned the khanjar,
lin/sesame oil for the horn part of the hilt and bicarbonate for the silver parts.

for the blade i use WD40 and etched it a little with concentrated vinegar for remove rust.
I did it because there was not the ''usual '' chromed steel surface on this blade )

It seems there is a pattern,
sure not wootz but interesting to see the forged blade...

Kind regards

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Great clean up … For the silver you can also use a bit of toothpaste. Blade looks 100% better … Ibrahiim al Balooshi.