Mecca Style Jambiya

Lew · 2nd December 2010, 06:28 PM

Stuart

The only thing that bothers me is that the jambiya's hilt is much smaller in width than the mouth of the scabbard which makes me think that it is not original to the scabbard? Here is a sold piece from what looks like the same maker marked 1931 mine is 1927 they look exactly the same but it seems the dagger fits better or is it me? Maybe these scabbards were purposely made a bit wider to accomadate different jambiya most of which are pretty uniform in size?

Atlantia · 2nd December 2010, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lew

Stuart

The only thing that bothers me is that the jambiya's hilt is much smaller in width than the mouth of the scabbard which makes me think that it is not original to the scabbard? Here is a sold piece from what looks like the same maker marked 1931 mine is 1927 they look exactly the same but it seems the dagger fits better or is it me? Maybe these scabbards were purposely made a bit wider to accomadate different jambiya most of which are pretty uniform in size?

I think you're right Lew.
The fit seems just too loose. Whats the blade like? It looks much more modern than the scabbard. Is the blade solid?
The scabbard is beautiful though.

Lew · 2nd December 2010, 08:37 PM

It won't be here for a while but I do have other older jambiya that should fit the scabbard nicely depending on what I happen to be wearing that day

I actually went for it more for the scabbard than the dagger.

Steve · 2nd December 2010, 09:47 PM

Hi Lew,
I think you've bought an interesting package. I was also watching it while it was on eBay and had a discussion with Stu on the items.
I agree with you, in that the dagger and scabbard are probably independent items. The scabbard is very typical from Yemen, the Hadhramaut area. Made up to the early 1930's. However, if you are correct about the Sana'a mention ( i can't read Arabic) - then it is quite unique. It may have been bought in Sana'a but not usually made there?

I think the dagger in the package is quite nice in its own way. The blade looks good and seems to have been cleaned in the very typical arab way. This style silver hilt is unusual for most of Yemen , and I would guess it comes more from the Asir/Najran areas.
Both items are quite good and congratulations on a good price.
Steve

kahnjar1 · 3rd December 2010, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lew

Stuart

The only thing that bothers me is that the jambiya's hilt is much smaller in width than the mouth of the scabbard which makes me think that it is not original to the scabbard? Here is a sold piece from what looks like the same maker marked 1931 mine is 1927 they look exactly the same but it seems the dagger fits better or is it me? Maybe these scabbards were purposely made a bit wider to accomadate different jambiya most of which are pretty uniform in size?

Hi Lew,
I see that Steve has now come in on this. As he said, we had a discussion regarding this piece while the auction was still live, but I did not want to pass on what he had said in case I got the facts wrong. Anyway I also think you got a very nice item even though perhaps the two "bits" did not start life together.
Regards Stu

Lew · 3rd December 2010, 06:24 AM

Thanks guys will let you know when it arrives and what I think of the overall quality.

2nd December 2010, 06:28 PM	#1
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Stuart The only thing that bothers me is that the jambiya's hilt is much smaller in width than the mouth of the scabbard which makes me think that it is not original to the scabbard? Here is a sold piece from what looks like the same maker marked 1931 mine is 1927 they look exactly the same but it seems the dagger fits better or is it me? Maybe these scabbards were purposely made a bit wider to accomadate different jambiya most of which are pretty uniform in size? Attached Images Last edited by Lew; 2nd December 2010 at 06:44 PM.

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2nd December 2010, 08:37 PM	#3
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	It won't be here for a while but I do have other older jambiya that should fit the scabbard nicely depending on what I happen to be wearing that day I actually went for it more for the scabbard than the dagger.

2nd December 2010, 09:47 PM	#4
Steve Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 58	Hi Lew, I think you've bought an interesting package. I was also watching it while it was on eBay and had a discussion with Stu on the items. I agree with you, in that the dagger and scabbard are probably independent items. The scabbard is very typical from Yemen, the Hadhramaut area. Made up to the early 1930's. However, if you are correct about the Sana'a mention ( i can't read Arabic) - then it is quite unique. It may have been bought in Sana'a but not usually made there? I think the dagger in the package is quite nice in its own way. The blade looks good and seems to have been cleaned in the very typical arab way. This style silver hilt is unusual for most of Yemen , and I would guess it comes more from the Asir/Najran areas. Both items are quite good and congratulations on a good price. Steve

3rd December 2010, 06:24 AM	#6
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Thanks guys will let you know when it arrives and what I think of the overall quality.