Fine Whole Silver Assib Jambiya Dagger in the Abdi Style

The endless variety of styles and shapes of the Yemenite Jambiya dagger invites good finds like this Assib Jambiya, with an exceptional old blade and outstanding heavy silver scabbard.  It is probably coming from the Hadramout region in South Yemen.

The name Abdi is given to many styles with the whole silver scabbards and high raising scabbard end with large Thum (Garlic) tip. This style is finely expressed in the Jambiya offered here. Exceptionally good blade with a pronounced central rib of perfect style and symmetry.  Heavy silver scabbard with long curved uprising silver tip richly decorated with granulation work. Black horn hilt with decorative silver mounts.

Blade 8 inches (20 cm) long. Total length 12 1/2 inches (31 cm). Weight of the silver scabbard only is 430 Grams. Very good condition. Minor repairs on the handle. The leather cover on the backside is later.

It should be noted that the blade and handle might be earlier, late 19 C. whereas the scabbard is first half of the 20 C. Mounting of older blades in later scabbards is a very common practice with Yemenite daggers.