Kindjal inscription interpretation?

[BBJW]

Originally Posted by Rivkin

Much better resolution pictures are needed. Apparantly it is well signed and dated to something 12.. like (i.e. most likely first half of XIXth century). What would be especially helpful - singature, point and size.

First impression - northern Caucasus, probably Dagestan, much less likely - Chechen, porbably 1850 or so.

Hope this is better. This is as good as my camera will do. This kindjal also has nice horn grips. Too bad there is no scabbard. Overall length is 22 inches and the blade is 16 3/4.

[ariel]

1297= 1879

[Rivkin]

1297h, i.e. 1879, Dagestan.