North African Jambiya Dagger, Mid-19th, Earlty 20th Century

Original era manufacture. This is not a toy, or a cheaply made souvenir for a GI, rather a purposefully made knife of very good quality.The hand-wrought 8.5 inch, curved steel blade, displays a good degree of polish to the tempered steel. There is a 3 inch decorated area on each side of the blade forward of the guard. The cutting edge of the blade and point are quite sharp.The guard, grip and pommel are made entirely of carved horn, with an upswept guard, and down turned pommel reminiscent of an SA dagger. The grip is made of 14 individually fitted horn segments, with thin bands of brass acting as spacers.The brass scabbard is covered on both sides with an attractive hand applied decoration, with a good quality steel throat guide.Overall the knife is very sound, minor insect nibbling to the horn grip, which only proves its age. The sheath is free of dents and presents a pleasing patina. It is difficult to determine the exact age of the knife, but I would put it in the mid 19th to early 20th Century time period. I like it a lot...but I can't keep everything.