Original 19th Century Arabian Jambiya Dagger with Heavily Silver Decorated Scabbard & Horn Hilt Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. Jambiya, also spelled janbia, janbiya, and jambia (Arabic: جنبية janbīyah), is the Arabic term for dagger, but it is generally used to describe a specific type of dagger with a short curved blade. The term jambiya is used in various Arab countries and India, it is closely associated with the people of Yemen and is prevalent among Muslim men in the Horn of Africa (primarily the Afars of Djibouti).

If you look at original photographs of LAWRENCE OF ARABIA in his traditional Arab robes, this is exactly the type of ARAB Dagger Captain T.E. Lawrence carried in his waist band. This is the Classic Arab Dagger of the Sinai and great deserts of the Middle East that stretch all the way down to Yemen and the Oman on the Indian Ocean.

Here we have a very fine Arabian jambiya dagger, with the characteristic wide curved blade with a central rib. Close examination of the blade shows that it is has been somewhat heavily cleaned in the past, however it still has a sharpened edge and reinforced point, so this was definitely one that could have been used. This is what we call the “classic style”, as carried by “Lawrence of Arabia” in all his WWI photographs. This dagger is probably from the later half of the 19th century, however the fittings may be much older, as they are quite ornate.

The animal horn grip is mostly covered with silver adornments on the rear, made from embossed sheet metal, and secured by two brass rivets. The scabbard is made entirely of embossed metal, with velvet covered wooden inserts to hold the blade, which are now loose and will fall out of the scabbard if turned upside down. The exterior of the scabbard is very heavily decorated, and one can only imagine the amount of time and effort went into this scabbard. It has some loops on the side where it was probably originally attached to loops or a belt, however there is no longer anything attached.

Overall condition is very good, and it shows some signs of past repair to the top of the scabbard, which is now somewhat loose. This does not however detract from the displayability at all, and could probably easily be repaired by a properly trained silversmith.

Almost certainly a War Trophy brought back from the Desert Campaign during WWI. by some soldier so he could relate his brave deeds of battle to his Grand Children.

Dimensions:
Blade length: 7 3/4”
Blade Style: Double Edged Curved
Overall length: 12”
Crossguard: 2 1/2”
Scabbard: 8″ x 7″