Original 19th Century North African – Arabian Jambiya Dagger with Embossed Brass Clad Scabbard – circa 1850 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.

This is a classic JAMBIYA dagger featuring a gently curved blade in a matching scabbard, both highly decorated. This particular style is usually seen in North Africa, particularly in Algiers. Overall length of this example is 16 inches in the impressive scabbard, 15 1/2 inches on its own. The blade double edged and 9 1/2 inches in length, with a longer edge on the inside, as is typical for these daggers.

The wooden hilt is brass mounted, with a lovely powder flask shaped large wooden grip made from dark hardwood. The front side of the brass is engraved and embossed with some lovely designs, as well as remnants of red paint highlighting. The scabbard is fully brass clad, with the front side covered with embossed designs matching those on the dagger hilt. The amount of work that went into decorating this scabbard is simply amazing, as is the level of detail.

The brass cladding is a bit loose in places, particularly around the mouth of the scabbard and the blade ricasso, both of which can be relatively easily pulled off. The wooden inserts inside the scabbard are also a bit loose, but none of this detracts from the display potential of the jambiya. Most eye catching and ready to display!

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: 9 1/2”
Blade Style: Double Edged Curved
Overall length: 15 1/2″
Crossguard: 1 3/8”
Scabbard Length: 10″