This Wootz steel dagger is a Khanjar (sometimes also referred to a Jambiya), East Turkey, mid to late 19 C. The general shape reminds the Khanjars carried by Kurdish People. Earlier blade probably 18C. of fine high contrast pattern. Black horn handle. Scabbard covered with leather and mounted with finely chased silver locket and chape with silver parts are proof marked.
Wootz steel is a steel characterized by a pattern of bands or sheets of micro carbides within a tempered martensiteor pearlite matrix. It is the pioneering steel alloy matrix developed in South India in the sixth century BC and exported globally. It was also known in the ancient world as Seric Iron.
