Knife Identification Stumper

[The Whip]

This knife belongs to a friend who asked for my help in identifying its possible origin. It comes from the collection of a man who emigrated to the U.S. from England in the late 1800s/early 1900s, and he owned the knife prior to his arrival in America. Given England's long reach during the time frame when the knife likely was procured, I believe it could come from just about anywhere in the world, literally.

I don't have exact measurements, but the blade is approximately nine or ten inches and the overall length roughly fourteen or fifteen inches. Handle is bone. Sheath is wood, bound with a natural cord material and wrapped with leather.

I scoured all my books, but this one has me stumped. Even the blade shape and engraving style are elusive. I thought I'd ask the eminent knife scholars here for assistance. Anyone recognize the style or know the source?


-Steve

 

[justjed]

Handle look like ram's horn, rather than bone. If I had to guess, I would say it is of origin in India, but that's just a guess....

 

[tltt]

Agreed, that's sheep horn. India or Middle East would be my guess for area.

 

[thebrain]

I also think that looks like sheep horn of some type. I have only seen blades with that type of decorating come from the middle east.

 

[The Whip]

After further research inspired by the suggestions here, I think I may have discovered the answer. Based on other examples that I found, the knife appears to be of Turkish origin, probably from the late Ottoman period.

I found other Turkish knives from that era with similar slight clip points.

Handle construction and materials (buffalo horn, it appears) were close, as well.

I discovered no like sheaths, but the general fabrication and shapes were reminiscent.

One of the most significant points of similarity was the Turks' unique adornment of the blades with engraved motifs.

Absent more definitive proofs, I think the mystery is resolved sufficiently. Thank you for your assistance, gentlemen!


-Steve