The Omani Khanjar

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 28th December 2019, 09:26 AM

There are many examples of rectangular geometry in Omani silver work and in the khanjar waist belt decoration and on Khanjar scabbards . Below I show one stylistic signature from Said the Great that seems to suggest a possible link...I add similar sword hilt geometric designs and in the rectangular silver adornment from the region of south Nizwa; Adam in a style of Djinn often seen on necklaces; protecting the wearer.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 20th January 2020, 10:05 PM

I thought this Omani Khanjar looked well balanced and nicely worked>>> It came with a few clues such as the hilt in Zraff Afrique which as you know is Rhino . It is a post 1970 weapon as it has the Omani Crest stamped on the belt links...

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 22nd January 2020, 07:53 PM

Here is an unusual Omani Khanjar with a weave in gilded cord to the main curve in the Scabbard See 328 for a silvered cord weave. For similar silver work see 1 27 107 128 144 203 223 236 268 … here on thread>
this appears as quite unusual as this is a 4 Ringer.

WHAT IS IT CALLED AND WHAT KIND OF HILT WILL IT CARRY??

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 23rd January 2020, 02:42 PM

The above khanjar scabbard appears to be ready to accept The Al Saidi Dagger even though it is a 4 ringer... Remember that Royal Al Saidi Khanjars are designated by the hilt although it is often assumed there is influence in the scabbard as well...but technically the scabbard is nothing to do with it...Only the Hilt. Thus scabards are 4or 7 rings and there are some khanjars with more and even some with two) The simple fact is that before this style was invented by one of the rulers wives in about 1830 the Muscat khanjar had 7 rings and that the scabbard was adorned as it is today and unchanged... the only redone item or component was the hilt said to incorporate Indian design elements … the new fresh look said to have been done to brighten the day of the ruler. you may all remember that something similar happened in the sayf yemaani when it was iconized ..with a similar hilt.

It stands to reason therefor that the apparently fancy scabbard does not designate al saidi khanjar born out by simply looking at 347 which has that scabbard but not the hilt.. so it is probably a Muscat weapon...

Please see http://www.khanjar.om/Materials.html for an exacting description of coloured yarn useage in these scabbards ….and other materials.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 13th February 2020, 01:36 PM

I have never seen one of these variants with quite the hilt decoration and shape ...thus I should be quiet and take your ideas..perhaps http://www.khanjar.om/Materials.html has some clue to the style?

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 15th February 2020, 05:33 PM

Having looked at this odd species I assume the hilt simply isn't finished or that the new owner will round off the pommel or go for a Tee shaped style instead..What I do know is the material of the hilt .. It's Giraffe or as it has been called for centuries Zraff Hindi which roughly means Indian Rhino...which of course we now realise actually means African Giraffe.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 16th February 2020, 10:05 PM

Just a note to echo what is a relatively new type of fastener and buckle holder, often seen with the post 1970 Omani emblem of two curved bladed swords which appeared at about the same time as the demise of Saaid the Great in 1856 and via Zanzibar and combined with the Omani Khanjar but not used as an emblem until 1970 on the takeover by the previous ruler.

28th December 2019, 09:26 AM	#1
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	There are many examples of rectangular geometry in Omani silver work and in the khanjar waist belt decoration and on Khanjar scabbards . Below I show one stylistic signature from Said the Great that seems to suggest a possible link...I add similar sword hilt geometric designs and in the rectangular silver adornment from the region of south Nizwa; Adam in a style of Djinn often seen on necklaces; protecting the wearer. Attached Images

20th January 2020, 10:05 PM	#2
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	I thought this Omani Khanjar looked well balanced and nicely worked>>> It came with a few clues such as the hilt in Zraff Afrique which as you know is Rhino . It is a post 1970 weapon as it has the Omani Crest stamped on the belt links... Attached Images

22nd January 2020, 07:53 PM	#3
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Here is an unusual Omani Khanjar with a weave in gilded cord to the main curve in the Scabbard See 328 for a silvered cord weave. For similar silver work see 1 27 107 128 144 203 223 236 268 … here on thread> this appears as quite unusual as this is a 4 Ringer. WHAT IS IT CALLED AND WHAT KIND OF HILT WILL IT CARRY?? Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 22nd January 2020 at 08:40 PM.

23rd January 2020, 02:42 PM	#4
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	The above khanjar scabbard appears to be ready to accept The Al Saidi Dagger even though it is a 4 ringer... Remember that Royal Al Saidi Khanjars are designated by the hilt although it is often assumed there is influence in the scabbard as well...but technically the scabbard is nothing to do with it...Only the Hilt. Thus scabards are 4or 7 rings and there are some khanjars with more and even some with two) The simple fact is that before this style was invented by one of the rulers wives in about 1830 the Muscat khanjar had 7 rings and that the scabbard was adorned as it is today and unchanged... the only redone item or component was the hilt said to incorporate Indian design elements … the new fresh look said to have been done to brighten the day of the ruler. you may all remember that something similar happened in the sayf yemaani when it was iconized ..with a similar hilt. It stands to reason therefor that the apparently fancy scabbard does not designate al saidi khanjar born out by simply looking at 347 which has that scabbard but not the hilt.. so it is probably a Muscat weapon... Please see http://www.khanjar.om/Materials.html for an exacting description of coloured yarn useage in these scabbards ….and other materials. Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 23rd January 2020 at 02:58 PM.

13th February 2020, 01:36 PM	#5
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	I have never seen one of these variants with quite the hilt decoration and shape ...thus I should be quiet and take your ideas..perhaps http://www.khanjar.om/Materials.html has some clue to the style? Attached Images

15th February 2020, 05:33 PM	#6
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Having looked at this odd species I assume the hilt simply isn't finished or that the new owner will round off the pommel or go for a Tee shaped style instead..What I do know is the material of the hilt .. It's Giraffe or as it has been called for centuries Zraff Hindi which roughly means Indian Rhino...which of course we now realise actually means African Giraffe.

16th February 2020, 10:05 PM	#7
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Just a note to echo what is a relatively new type of fastener and buckle holder, often seen with the post 1970 Omani emblem of two curved bladed swords which appeared at about the same time as the demise of Saaid the Great in 1856 and via Zanzibar and combined with the Omani Khanjar but not used as an emblem until 1970 on the takeover by the previous ruler. Attached Images