thank you gents! The idea of the pistolgrip did occur also to another by me highly respected forum member whom I asked for  his opinion. 
Except for the above picture in the book of a similar grip but with a much smaller blade, I never have seen this kind of knife.  
Might perhaps be indeed a strong indication of a repurposed item... 
Also because of its decoration, often seen on pistols , which differs completely from the decoration on yataghans, bichaqs and kamas.  
Be it Balkan, Caucasian or Ottoman motherland...
		 
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
	 |