This is a masterfully embellished example of a Caucasian style qama dagger, also commonly referred to as "Cossack" daggers, due to the famous horsemen regularly carrying them. It measures 18 5/8 inches overall and a 13 7/8 inch spear point blade with the typical offset fullers on each side of the blade, as well as an onion shaped maker's mark on the outside of the blade. The hilt is extensively embellished with floral engraving, blued borders, and silver plating, and there is an blued rooster/game bird on the back side of the pommel. The same floral patterns and silver plating cover the entire outer surface of the included scabbard and the interior surface is silver plated with blued Islamic designs, a roosters/game bird, and Arabic style writing. Provenance: The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection

Very fine overall, the blade mostly bright with some small visible tempering flaws along the edges, and the hilt showing an attractively aged patina, retaining most of the finishes. The scabbard is also very good showing an attractively aged patina and retaining most of the finishes.