Koummya and Janbiya

Kubur · 16th March 2021, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

I guess the scabbard is from brass and silver,
Regards,
Detlef

Again Detlef is correct brass on one side and brass covered with silver sheet on the other.

Asomer, can you please put the dagger from the left side in the scabbard in the middle? I have the feeling that there is a missmatch...

mariusgmioc · 17th March 2021, 07:28 AM

Often tin alloys are very difficult to distinguish from silver even at close inspection. Very often it is impossible to say for sure that it is silver based only on a low quality photo.

However, there are very clear signs (see photo) we are not talking about sheet silver, but about tin alloy (more precisely solder) applied crudely in molten state directly on the brass scabbard. And what appears to be surface wear is in fact the result of the poorly reproduced shapes of the brass below and subsequent abrasive cleaning.

But maybe ASomer can tell us more precisely what it is?

Kubur · 17th March 2021, 08:55 AM

Hi Marius,

You have very good eyes, it was badly restored with lead.
But I guarantee you that this type of koummya have a silver sheat on one side.

Sajen · 17th March 2021, 05:23 PM

I am also sure that it is silver plated on one side!

Sajen · 17th March 2021, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

Often tin alloys are very difficult to distinguish from silver even at close inspection. Very often it is impossible to say for sure that it is silver based only on a low quality photo.

I own a 19th century koummya, brass scabbard with very worn silver accents in front, the silver plating is attached on a layer tin or similar metal. The same effect you can notice by the koummya in question. I guess it was done to let the silver look thicker. A test would show that in up is silver where it is not worn, believe me, it gets dark like I know it only from silver. But you are correct, under the silver is something similar to tin.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

But maybe ASomer can tell us more precisely what it is?

Yes, this would be great!

Regards,
Detlef

ASomer · 19th March 2021, 11:48 AM

Hi thanks for all the interesting insights.

To be honest I have no idea what it is, I guess it could be silver plated brass.

I am attaching some more photos of the back side and the blade.

17th March 2021, 07:28 AM	#2
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,911	Often tin alloys are very difficult to distinguish from silver even at close inspection. Very often it is impossible to say for sure that it is silver based only on a low quality photo. However, there are very clear signs (see photo) we are not talking about sheet silver, but about tin alloy (more precisely solder) applied crudely in molten state directly on the brass scabbard. And what appears to be surface wear is in fact the result of the poorly reproduced shapes of the brass below and subsequent abrasive cleaning. But maybe ASomer can tell us more precisely what it is? Attached Images Last edited by mariusgmioc; 17th March 2021 at 09:17 AM.

19th March 2021, 11:48 AM	#6
ASomer Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 8	Hi thanks for all the interesting insights. To be honest I have no idea what it is, I guess it could be silver plated brass. I am attaching some more photos of the back side and the blade. Attached Images

17th March 2021, 08:55 AM	#3
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Hi Marius, You have very good eyes, it was badly restored with lead. But I guarantee you that this type of koummya have a silver sheat on one side.

17th March 2021, 05:23 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,214	I am also sure that it is silver plated on one side!