Zanzibar or Omani Jambiya?

kahnjar1 · 26th February 2016, 07:09 PM

Hi Chris,
Nice Jambiya.
I have one similar (shown here) which comes from the Sharqiyah Region of eastern Oman around the port of Sur. The scabbard wire work is similar to yours but the hilt is a slightly different, though that is not unusual.
Can not be sure, but the hilt on yours COULD be rhino as it appears to show the typical "orange peel" end grain.
Some comments about your observations.....the plain rings are likely to be replacements as it is usual for all the rings to be faceted. As far as the nails are concerned they are likely to be for decoration, unless of course there is obvious sign of a repair to the hilt.
Stu

mrcjgscott · 26th February 2016, 07:13 PM

Hi Stu,

Good to hear from you, I hope you are well?

Many thanks for the information, and for the pictures of your example, very nice indeed. Interesting that yours comes from a port region. Would such things have been carried by sailors?

Interesting that it could be a rhino horn hilt, I did wonder, but thought I would leave that to the experts here.

Is there any way I can show you more details of the hilt to help your opinion?

All the best,

Chris

kahnjar1 · 26th February 2016, 08:07 PM

https://www.google.co.nz/?gws_rd=ssl...+sharqiyah+map
Hi Chris,
As you will see from the link, The Shaqiyah region is mostly inland but has a coastal strip which includes the port of Sur. My previous comment was probably a bit misleading.
You have PM.
Stu

mrcjgscott · 27th February 2016, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

https://www.google.co.nz/?gws_rd=ssl...+sharqiyah+map
Hi Chris,
As you will see from the link, The Shaqiyah region is mostly inland but has a coastal strip which includes the port of Sur. My previous comment was probably a bit misleading.
You have PM.
Stu

Ahhh all becomes clear, thanks for the clarification Stu.

PM replied to.

Chris

mrcjgscott · 27th February 2016, 01:51 PM

I somehow forgot to add this image of the blade unsheathed...

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 27th February 2016, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrcjgscott

I somehow forgot to add this image of the blade unsheathed...

Salaams mrcjgscott, This is an interesting khanjar. The weapon is from the Sharqiyyah as already outlines by Stu...and the hilt by which this khanjar also gets its name is Saifaani ...This is Rhino horn ...It is true that the import point of the horn would have been the regions seaport at Sur...for centuries the contact trade port with Zanzibar and Africa. Likely place of manufacture; Mudhaabi or Sannau(Sinaw). I confirm the same provenance of Stus Khanjar.

Mudhaibi is the largest willaya(county) in Ash Sharqiyah region of Oman. incorporating Sinaw is one of the most popular suqs in Oman. Dresses, khanjars and jewelry are sold there. They also make Khanjars there.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi

mrcjgscott · 27th February 2016, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams mrcjgscott, This is an interesting khanjar. The weapon is from the Sharqiyyah as already outlines by Stu...and the hilt by which this khanjar also gets its name is Saifaani ...This is Rhino horn ...It is true that the import point of the horn would have been the regions seaport at Sur...for centuries the contact trade port with Zanzibar and Africa. Likely place of manufacture; Mudhaabi or Sannau(Sinaw). I confirm the same provenance of Stus Khanjar.

Mudhaibi is the largest willaya(county) in Ash Sharqiyah region of Oman. incorporating Sinaw is one of the most popular suqs in Oman. Dresses, khanjars and jewelry are sold there. They also make Khanjars there.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Greetings Ibrahiim,

Many thanks indeed for your comments.

Very interesting that you confirm the hilt as being made of Rhino horn, I was worried my pictures did not give enough details.

Was this a dagger which anybody could have purchased, or is it something a little more special?

Do you think this is an early 20th example, as I have guessed?

With kind regards,

Chirs

26th February 2016, 07:09 PM	#1
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,786	Hi Chris, Nice Jambiya. I have one similar (shown here) which comes from the Sharqiyah Region of eastern Oman around the port of Sur. The scabbard wire work is similar to yours but the hilt is a slightly different, though that is not unusual. Can not be sure, but the hilt on yours COULD be rhino as it appears to show the typical "orange peel" end grain. Some comments about your observations.....the plain rings are likely to be replacements as it is usual for all the rings to be faceted. As far as the nails are concerned they are likely to be for decoration, unless of course there is obvious sign of a repair to the hilt. Stu Attached Images

27th February 2016, 01:51 PM	#5
mrcjgscott Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 189	I somehow forgot to add this image of the blade unsheathed... Attached Images

26th February 2016, 07:13 PM	#2
mrcjgscott Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 189	Hi Stu, Good to hear from you, I hope you are well? Many thanks for the information, and for the pictures of your example, very nice indeed. Interesting that yours comes from a port region. Would such things have been carried by sailors? Interesting that it could be a rhino horn hilt, I did wonder, but thought I would leave that to the experts here. Is there any way I can show you more details of the hilt to help your opinion? All the best, Chris

26th February 2016, 08:07 PM	#3
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,786	https://www.google.co.nz/?gws_rd=ssl...+sharqiyah+map Hi Chris, As you will see from the link, The Shaqiyah region is mostly inland but has a coastal strip which includes the port of Sur. My previous comment was probably a bit misleading. You have PM. Stu