The Omani Khanjar

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by chregu

hi ibrahiim

Thank you for your quick response.
I had the age of the dagger much older estimated before 1900?
because from my experience for blades and the patina of the grip material. well as the signs of wear of the silver decorations may include a higher age.


what are your reasons for dating 1960-1970?



greeting Chregu

Salaams Chregu, The decorative tiny detailed silver work in the hilt and upper scabbard is of a later provenance and actually there is little damage or hard wear caused by age in either the blade or the silverwork other than a couple of missing bits as outlined. I am probably at the outer limit by quoting around the 60 year marker..Silver is very soft...it wears out fast because not only is it worn where wear is quite agessive but because of the vigourous oxidation (and constant cleaning) of the icon.. The blades, if used regularly, will also degrade nicely and for 1900 I would expect a relatively battered steel ... not so on this. In regard to an aprox. 1900 Khanjar I would expect a very worn almost smooth silver patina...

The difficulty on khanjar age estimation is compounded because the trend has been to replace worn parts!! So my "point" about blades has to be "tempered" with the assumption that the blade is original...when it may not be. The belt cannot be used either on age estimation.

In this case however there is no way that it is older than 1950 and absolutely not 1900... That is way out of line on age.

To view khanjars of 100 years or more I would need to be in a Museum as no such weapons exist other than there or private collections...I was looking at http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/a...tails.aspx#top for examples even for first half of the 20th C .. but even with those examples I would say they were 1940 or 50... Pushing the envelope back to 1900 is not easy.

Your dagger... I would be happy with 1960.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams All... Note to Library. I illustrate 3 of the oldest Khanjars I have seen on web...I consider these as circa 1900. Readers may note that it was the Hilt that dignified a Khanjar as "Saidiyya" (Royal) in style though generally that hilt is seen on the 7 ringer form scabbards but wass equally allowed upon 4 ringers as below right.. (7 ringer form was the design seen on Muscat Khanjar scabbards see #79) The Muscat weapon being on the doorstep when the Saidiyya hilt was invented must have thus been ideal as the candidate for copying the 7 ring style.

The older silver style is clearly seen on the two 7 ringers.



Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[chregu]

hi ibrahiim

thanks for your answer.

I'm amazed that I was so wrong with my assessment!
I noticed that I still have much to learn about Khanjar!
as I said, the Khanjar is not me, but would like to buy it.
what do you think is a fair price for it?

greeting Chregu

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by chregu

hi ibrahiim

thanks for your answer.

I'm amazed that I was so wrong with my assessment!
I noticed that I still have much to learn about Khanjar!
as I said, the Khanjar is not me, but would like to buy it.
what do you think is a fair price for it?

greeting Chregu

Salaams Chregu... Its rather like being asked ones age... Have a guess.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi

[chregu]

ok
thank you anyway!

greeting Chregu

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

To decide if the blade is worthy there are a number of tests locals use including the ring test, the smell test, and the taste test. There is another which I describe as the three finger lift.

Lightly take the end of the khanjar blade up in two fingers and a thumb and slowly lift the item vertically ... If there is resistance and the dagger falls away its a good one ... If you can lift it easily its not so good...This happens as a blend of tests and may be done several times to satisfy the buyers mind..and looks like a complete load of jiggery-pokery but the locals swear by it...

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[spiral]

So physical speaking, more weight than average & enough curve to the blade to put a sideways pull in rather than a straight linear pull is required? so that it pulls free?

Or to my mind, if as sharp as a cut throat razor would work as well? But would colour your fingers perhaps...

Spiral