Somali dagger - advice sought on repair

Will M · 3rd October 2017, 02:55 PM

The gap is not large at all and expected using these kinds of materials.
I would leave it as is, collectors expect to see this in antiques such as these. Remove or hide the tell tale signs of authentic age and you devalue the piece.
I would not want a collector piece with modern putty in it.

Martin Lubojacky · 3rd October 2017, 06:02 PM

I don´t think the gap was coused by shrinking, the horn section may be too short for such relatively big gap (just opinion, maybe wrong ...). Sometimes, when the gap is coused by shrinking, the parts of handle are movable (but not always because of corrosion or old glue etc.). If the parts here, in this case, are movable, I would consider to remove (only !) the pommel and to push the parts (carefully by tapping) back together. Nevertheless I think that something is missing there. Myabe it was some filler. But I would also consider to put there either brass part or new black horn part (divided into two pieces, without dismanteling the handle - to put it from the sides, after than to fit and sink it and to polish it- but carefully; this is nevertheless lengthy and fiddly job).

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3rd October 2017, 02:55 PM	#1
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 395	The gap is not large at all and expected using these kinds of materials. I would leave it as is, collectors expect to see this in antiques such as these. Remove or hide the tell tale signs of authentic age and you devalue the piece. I would not want a collector piece with modern putty in it.

3rd October 2017, 06:02 PM	#2
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	I don´t think the gap was coused by shrinking, the horn section may be too short for such relatively big gap (just opinion, maybe wrong ...). Sometimes, when the gap is coused by shrinking, the parts of handle are movable (but not always because of corrosion or old glue etc.). If the parts here, in this case, are movable, I would consider to remove (only !) the pommel and to push the parts (carefully by tapping) back together. Nevertheless I think that something is missing there. Myabe it was some filler. But I would also consider to put there either brass part or new black horn part (divided into two pieces, without dismanteling the handle - to put it from the sides, after than to fit and sink it and to polish it- but carefully; this is nevertheless lengthy and fiddly job).