Lew Waldman's Ethnographic Arms & Armour Collection Archive


1020 - Single-Edged 'Eared' Pommel Dagger from Ottoman Region with Sheath

A black through brown to creamy horn hilt that is bifurcated in the area of the pommel has metal bands demarcating black inserts and a thin brass bolster and stop. The style is reminiscent of a bichaq dagger or yataghan. Upon each blade face there is a pair of fullers bounded by inscribed lines with decorative punches. The pattern within the fullers suggested by the photos appears to have been made by faint etching; lengthwise grain suggests a laminated forged construction. The blade is just over 11 inches (28 cm) in length. An old dark leather covered wood sheath also accommodates about a third of the length of the hilt so that overall sheathed length is about 17 inches (43 cm). An integral strap inserts into braided leather at the mouth of the sheath. The tip of the sheath appears to be reinforced by part of an old thimble. Overall weight is just over 11½ ounces (337 grams).




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