AN OTTOMAN BICHAQ DAGGER WITH BRASS MOUNTS, 19TH C.

An Ottoman bichaq dagger resembling a small yataghan. The steel blade has the characteristic forward curvature of a yataghan and is inscribed with Arabic text on the inside center of the blade. The base of the blade is decorated with an embossed brass fixture which continues into a band that wraps vertically around the grip. The grip itself is of wood in the characteristic eared shape of a yataghan and is adorned with four brass caps over the pins which attach the grip scales to the tang, at one time there would have been six of these. The scabbard is a simple white metal alloy construction.

L: 20.75 in. (52.71 cm.);
Condition Report: The blade shows dark spots and it has a small chip on the cutting edge. The horn grip scales have chips. The scabbard is a replacement, but of the period.