Original 19th Century Arabian Jambiya Dagger with Heavily Silver Decorated Scabbard & 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 somewhat crudely made, and had the edge filed off at some point long ago. Even in the 19th century these were in many ways more for show than for use, so this would not have been a problem. 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 wooden grip is mostly covered with silver adornments, made from both sheet metal, embossed sheet metal, and metal wire and buttons. An incredible amount of work must have gone into this hilt. The wooden scabbard is completely covered on the front side, has designs matching the hilt in many areas. It is constructed from the same materials with the same embossed patterns, with lots of twisted silver wire attached to loops around the front. There rings on either side, where the scabbard would have attached to a belt. The rear, as is often seen, is covered with red velvet.

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: 6 1/2”
Blade Style: Double Edged Curved
Overall length: 11”
Crossguard: 2 1/2”
Scabbard: 8″ x 8″