The Omani Khanjar

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 14th March 2019, 12:38 AM

This example looks lethal... and something about the slender hilt makes it look dangerous ..It has two new studs and pin decorations surrounding and is in fact Rhino and looking at the wear on the hilt it is old..So zraf afrique it is...and with a new cuff. The scabbard is non existent thus it seems this old dagger is looking for a match...This style could be a degraded Royal Khanjar hilt with all the silver stripped off or... possibly this two star design is called as shams, which means sun, and this kind of handle is locally known as the Al Sifani handle. This type of handle named after the Bani Saif family or Omani tribes in Ash Sharqiah governorate. This family was well known for this type of handle according to the Omani khanjar makers.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 19th March 2019, 11:36 AM

The incidence of double or trebble dagger and only one scabbard are increasing so the owner can change his preferred dagger to suit.. The weapon suddenly becomes a Royal Khanjar ...

I don't like it, however, as there's too much silver plate work on the Royal Khanjar in my opinion and there are missing pins and a stud on the left hand dagger type... they are both too shiny for my liking … but that is often the case with new silver.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 20th March 2019, 12:29 PM

Here a good well made geometric pattern throughout and well designed reflections in silver stitched leather below the belt accurately drawn and executed... In the split palmette style but with clever and artistic interpretation throughout.( PERHAPS A HINT OF MAGIC SQUARES ) Hilt in African Giraffe Horn ...Zraf Hindi. Unusually at the cuff is the ancient VVVVVVV pattern also seen on some of the cuffs of the battle swords Sayf Yamaani. The Qoba (crown) is given quite delicate treatment here with artistic decoration in the same material as the rest of the weapon... new silver ...which will develop a Patina very quickly.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 20th March 2019, 12:47 PM

The use of gold coloured cord to wrap the lower scabbard in a typical rendition of the Royal Khanjar ... You may recall that the Royal khanjar is designated by the hilt (only) change made in about 1830 /40 by Sheherazad one of the wives of Saiid the Great... Thus not constrained by the number of rings in the scabbard it can have 4 or 7 rings... Cloth belt antique examples can be seen at the excellent rendition on http://omanisilver.com/

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 22nd March 2019, 11:45 AM

Possibly one of the nicer khanjars I have viewed this week . Its a Nizwani (of Nizwa) and has a zraf hindi hilt...a misnomer... (Giraffe African) Hammered into the horn adding weight and design are silver and brass pins in a geometric design.This weapons scabbard has a silver sheet backing it below the belt which is just visible. The newer chain dangling off one edge may have any accouterments on it such as the tweezers or a tobacco pouch in silver with silver pipe.. It has the crossed swords and khanjar at centre on a button. The emblem of Oman... Thus the chain is post about 1970.

It has two replacement linkages holding it to the belt...which is a standard leather with slver wire stitching . I dont like the linkages ! but they are now acceptable. The scabbard shows wear under the silver weaving probably termite in places.. and I think there's glue holding the weave together but it will last a few more years then maybe a refit.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 26th March 2019, 01:45 PM

A couple of Royal Khanjars to compare. Sheherazad really set a standard with this very ornate hilt and it was only the hilt that she re modelled. The scabbard is or was a typical design of what was the Muscat Khanjar. Indian design is prevalent in her hilt pattern to brighten up the day of her husband; Saiid Sultan ...also known as Saiid the Great...Thus was born The Saiidi Khanjar...or The Royal Khanjar. in about 1830.

Generally I tend to advise collectors to avoid this style as it is the one most copied for the tourist and gift market but in one picture here you can see that this is a serious Khanjar outlet with rows of weapon parts for buyers to see.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 2nd April 2019, 01:10 PM

THE COLOUR RANGE IN ZRAF HINDI HILTS.

These two OMANI khanjars illustrate the colour range of Giraffe Horn. The material accepts silver pins without cracking and is now often seen on these weapons despite the danger of the diminishing of animals in the wild.

14th March 2019, 12:38 AM	#1
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	This example looks lethal... and something about the slender hilt makes it look dangerous ..It has two new studs and pin decorations surrounding and is in fact Rhino and looking at the wear on the hilt it is old..So zraf afrique it is...and with a new cuff. The scabbard is non existent thus it seems this old dagger is looking for a match...This style could be a degraded Royal Khanjar hilt with all the silver stripped off or... possibly this two star design is called as shams, which means sun, and this kind of handle is locally known as the Al Sifani handle. This type of handle named after the Bani Saif family or Omani tribes in Ash Sharqiah governorate. This family was well known for this type of handle according to the Omani khanjar makers. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 14th March 2019 at 12:55 AM.

19th March 2019, 11:36 AM	#2
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	The incidence of double or trebble dagger and only one scabbard are increasing so the owner can change his preferred dagger to suit.. The weapon suddenly becomes a Royal Khanjar ... I don't like it, however, as there's too much silver plate work on the Royal Khanjar in my opinion and there are missing pins and a stud on the left hand dagger type... they are both too shiny for my liking … but that is often the case with new silver. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 19th March 2019 at 11:48 AM.

20th March 2019, 12:29 PM	#3
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Here a good well made geometric pattern throughout and well designed reflections in silver stitched leather below the belt accurately drawn and executed... In the split palmette style but with clever and artistic interpretation throughout.( PERHAPS A HINT OF MAGIC SQUARES ) Hilt in African Giraffe Horn ...Zraf Hindi. Unusually at the cuff is the ancient VVVVVVV pattern also seen on some of the cuffs of the battle swords Sayf Yamaani. The Qoba (crown) is given quite delicate treatment here with artistic decoration in the same material as the rest of the weapon... new silver ...which will develop a Patina very quickly. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 20th March 2019 at 01:26 PM.

20th March 2019, 12:47 PM	#4
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	The use of gold coloured cord to wrap the lower scabbard in a typical rendition of the Royal Khanjar ... You may recall that the Royal khanjar is designated by the hilt (only) change made in about 1830 /40 by Sheherazad one of the wives of Saiid the Great... Thus not constrained by the number of rings in the scabbard it can have 4 or 7 rings... Cloth belt antique examples can be seen at the excellent rendition on http://omanisilver.com/ Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 20th March 2019 at 01:40 PM.

22nd March 2019, 11:45 AM	#5
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Possibly one of the nicer khanjars I have viewed this week . Its a Nizwani (of Nizwa) and has a zraf hindi hilt...a misnomer... (Giraffe African) Hammered into the horn adding weight and design are silver and brass pins in a geometric design.This weapons scabbard has a silver sheet backing it below the belt which is just visible. The newer chain dangling off one edge may have any accouterments on it such as the tweezers or a tobacco pouch in silver with silver pipe.. It has the crossed swords and khanjar at centre on a button. The emblem of Oman... Thus the chain is post about 1970. It has two replacement linkages holding it to the belt...which is a standard leather with slver wire stitching . I dont like the linkages ! but they are now acceptable. The scabbard shows wear under the silver weaving probably termite in places.. and I think there's glue holding the weave together but it will last a few more years then maybe a refit. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 22nd March 2019 at 12:00 PM.

26th March 2019, 01:45 PM	#6
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	A couple of Royal Khanjars to compare. Sheherazad really set a standard with this very ornate hilt and it was only the hilt that she re modelled. The scabbard is or was a typical design of what was the Muscat Khanjar. Indian design is prevalent in her hilt pattern to brighten up the day of her husband; Saiid Sultan ...also known as Saiid the Great...Thus was born The Saiidi Khanjar...or The Royal Khanjar. in about 1830. Generally I tend to advise collectors to avoid this style as it is the one most copied for the tourist and gift market but in one picture here you can see that this is a serious Khanjar outlet with rows of weapon parts for buyers to see. Attached Images

2nd April 2019, 01:10 PM	#7
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	THE COLOUR RANGE IN ZRAF HINDI HILTS. These two OMANI khanjars illustrate the colour range of Giraffe Horn. The material accepts silver pins without cracking and is now often seen on these weapons despite the danger of the diminishing of animals in the wild. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 2nd April 2019 at 01:21 PM.