Old File Bladed shibriya for comment

[spiral]

Thanks Gene!

I have no idea of the relevance of different tops. Artzi or someone else from the middle east might know?

The silver & nielo one is nice but I prefer the file one, I suspect it is older & has a more user feel to it to me.

Spiral

[broadaxe]

Here is my input: as spiral said, the ring is usually at front. It is not for a lanyard but rather for a small lucky charm, most popuplar was a blue glass bead on a fine chain or leather thong.
When sheet metal hilts are in concern, the scabbard is mostly made of the same material.
The "twin peak" or thumb rest pommel is not very common, but also not scarce. I would date these file blades to in between the Wold Wars.
The niello work is simple but very uncommon to this type of arm. It indicates circassian (highly improbable due to the form) and armenian (most probable) work.

[Atlantia]

Spiral.

I can't decide between your two! They are both really nice.



Broadaxe.

Thanks for the info
But Armenian?? I thought this shape of blade was exclusive to Jordan/Syria?
Am I about to get an education here?

Best
Gene

[TVV]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Spiral.

I can't decide between your two! They are both really nice.



Broadaxe.

Thanks for the info
But Armenian?? I thought this shape of blade was exclusive to Jordan/Syria?
Am I about to get an education here?

Best
Gene

There were many Circassian refugees to Syria and Jordan, who fled there during and after the wars with Russia in the mid 19th century.

Regards,
Teodor

[broadaxe]

Armenians came to the middle east as refugees and there is a famous weapon shop in Amman, led by an Armenian silversmiths family. They use Armenian motifs and methods over the local weapons.
Circassian (Adyga) families were brought by the Ottoman Turks into the middle east during the 1870's to serve as border guards, they kept their traditional weapons, the khma and sha-squa.

[spiral]

Thank you Broadaxe, fascinating info!

On my file bladed one, there are also 2 rings on the scabbard as well as the belt loop, i always assumed these were either for added ties to the belt or so it could be attached to a baldric or shoulder belt, I know am wondering if the would have been for added decorations as well?

Also is it possible to estimate the Armenian style niello one? I was told it was collected in Egyption territory by a British serviceman along with an old sword & kukri in around 1947? But have no evidence to support or refute it.

Have you any examples to share? Would be nice to see others.

Spiral

[broadaxe]

Originally Posted by spiral

Thank you Broadaxe, fascinating info! not a problem, we are here to share.
On my file bladed one, there are also 2 rings on the scabbard as well as the belt loop, i always assumed these were either for added ties to the belt or so it could be attached to a baldric or shoulder belt, I know am wondering if the would have been for added decorations as well? From what I know, the things vary. You can find them both or just seperated, while you can also find more side rings, up to 3 pairs (= 6 rings a lot). I believe this gave way to flexibility in affixing the knife, as some folks used leather belt, some used woven baldric (on the waists like a belt, across the shoulder reserved only for swords here) and some laced the knife permanently into their batlle harness.

Also is it possible to estimate the Armenian style niello one? If you talk about the one entirely cladded in nielloed silver it goes towards the higher end of shabriyas . I was told it was collected in Egyption territory by a British serviceman along with an old sword & kukri in around 1947? But have no evidence to support or refute it. It is possible, could be the Sinai desert. The enire region was a large battlefield during the fall of WWI. Kukries are to be found, although rarely, becauuse there were three British/Indian batallions involved. The type of the sword would have been a great source of further information. Just remember that after WWI there was the Arab revolt of 1936-9, then WWII which put some less stress over that region (minor battles), but from 1947 to 1949 the whole place was in flames due our Independence War.
Have you any examples to share? Would be nice to see others. I do not collect them but occasionaly own one or two, just because the local interest. I handled, though, maybe hundreds of all kinds and conditions. Posting now a photo of the last one I traded off about a month ago, will take photos of two other which are for a keep. BTW, that particular shape is to be found only in Jordan, Israel and the Sinai.
Spiral

The shabriya in my photo is an old one with a good blade (not from a file though), hilt is horn and the most thing is wrapped in thin silver sheet.