interesting old knife and sheath

donnydogs · 20th February 2013, 05:27 PM

Hello everyone,
My father 91 year old father in law gave me this knife. He was a pilot in WW II. One flight took him to Morocco in north Africa where he bought it at a large street market. It was an old knife at that time. The knife has been a wall hanger ever since (along with an old flint lock rifle from the same time).
One person recently told me that it is dagger of the Afar people of the Danakil desert region with a pommel of Somalian pattern. Any information about this knife and sheath would be appreciated.
Questions:
Do you concur that origin the knife is of the Afar people?
Why does the knife have two styles - Afar and Somalian?
How old is the knife?
Thanks for any information.

colin henshaw · 21st February 2013, 08:39 PM

Yes, you are quite right about the Afar/Somalia combination. Never seen that before, but then the two areas are close to each other. As to why - maybe the result of trade of some sort ? Regarding age - probably first half of the 20th century.

Regards.

Iain · 21st February 2013, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Yes, you are quite right about the Afar/Somalia combination. Never seen that before, but then the two areas are close to each other. As to why - maybe the result of trade of some sort ? Regarding age - probably first half of the 20th century.

Regards.

What Colin said - agree completely. I personally think its quite an attractive piece and the large bronze scabbard fittings are quite attractive.

20th February 2013, 05:27 PM	#1
donnydogs Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 6	interesting old knife and sheath Hello everyone, My father 91 year old father in law gave me this knife. He was a pilot in WW II. One flight took him to Morocco in north Africa where he bought it at a large street market. It was an old knife at that time. The knife has been a wall hanger ever since (along with an old flint lock rifle from the same time). One person recently told me that it is dagger of the Afar people of the Danakil desert region with a pommel of Somalian pattern. Any information about this knife and sheath would be appreciated. Questions: Do you concur that origin the knife is of the Afar people? Why does the knife have two styles - Afar and Somalian? How old is the knife? Thanks for any information. Attached Images

21st February 2013, 08:39 PM	#2
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Yes, you are quite right about the Afar/Somalia combination. Never seen that before, but then the two areas are close to each other. As to why - maybe the result of trade of some sort ? Regarding age - probably first half of the 20th century. Regards.