Shamshir with central ridge

[ALEX]

I saw this shamshir on eBay. The pronounced central ridge like this is common on Arab/Turkish/Kurdish jambiyas, but this is the first time I saw it on the shamshir blade. Does anyone have any references to it?
Very elegant sword in my opinion with nice blade and super Rhino horn hilt. Congratulations to the buyer!

[Atlantia]

What a beautiful sword! Can't really add to what you've said, except to agree! :D
Bet a light etch is going to make that blade look fantastic.

[ALEX]

I also had a feeling it can be wootz/Damascus. It looks so wootzy even without visible pattern:-)

[TVV]

I might be imagining things, but I think I might be seeing wootz as well in the blade close-up.
The blade with its two wide fullers reminds me of similar Kindjal blades.
Whatever it is, I agree that it is a very nice sword. Drool.

Regards,
Teodor

[asomotif]

I am not into shamshir / wootz etc...

But this blade with the ridge would be a nice wallhanger all the same ;)

In the 3rd picture I would also say that wootz is visible.
And some gold engraving in the middle of the blade.
This might depend on the quality screen you have.
Watching this at work I would not have a clue, but at home the quality is much better(that is good for both me and my boss :D )

[Atlantia]

Does anyone want to guess if the back edge is a false one or if its fully double edged like a Jambiya?
If it is, I've certainly never seen one like it.
I am very jealous.
What did it end at/sell for?

[ALEX]

It is certainly double-edged just like a jambiya. There is no back edge / spine. This is why I thought it's so unique. Went very cheap with "Buy Now" as soon as it was listed:-)

[Tim Simmons]

This etched script make me think of Abyssinia or other parts of East Africa? perhaps?

[ALEX]

Tim,
Here are more script images. It looks inlayed or 'koftgaried' in gold, not etched. Once again, the sword does look Ottoman, the central rib feature is also Turkish-Arab-Kurdish. Very Interesting.

[Tim Simmons]

Very nice, have you tested the metal. I have found so much gold inlay to brass. You can buy a box set of test acids to tell silver, 9ct and 18ct gold and platinum.

[Jim McDougall]

This is an incredibly intriguing Ottoman shamshir, and I cannot say I have ever seen a shamshir or any parabolic blade being double edged. This central ridge is indeed characteristic of khanjars and janbiyya of many styles.

One style of janbiyya found in the Asir and the Hejaz of Arabia is quite long, somewhat curved, and with central ridge (Robert Elgood, "Arms and Armour of Arabia , london, 1994, p.76). While this is clearly not a 'sword', it does have distinct length and perhaps the idea of a prestigious, unique shamshir with blade in the style of these profoundly personal daggers might have been somehow commissioned with this in mind.

I would think that this Ottoman shamshir may have been produced in Syria for an Ottoman officer or official possibly garrisoned in these regions, or perhaps with the inscriptions, this may have been a diplomatic gift or presentation for one of the sharifs.

It would be most interesting to know of any other examples of such unusual shamshir blades.

Best regards,
Jim

[Dom]

not curious to know what is mentionned on the blade ?? :p

upper part;
- nasr men Allah wa fat
The Victory from Allah (God) with a good

lower part
- mobine ... ??????? (unclear)
conquest .... ????

à +

Dom

[Tim Simmons]

Very much like Mahdist sentiment? Very nice curve to the blade, interesting wander to the central ridge.

[Gavin Nugent]

not curious to know what is mentionned on the blade ?? :p

upper part;
- nasr men Allah wa fat
The Victory from Allah (God) with a good

lower part
- mobine ... ??????? (unclear)
conquest .... ????

à +

Dom

Your knowledge is amazing and your eagerness to help a blessing.

Regards

Gav

[Jim McDougall]

Thank you so much for the translation Dom! That was my next question :)
It is an incredible asset to have your skills in translating these inscriptions and markings, which add so much to our study to the history of these weapons.

This, or very similar wording seems very present among Muslim invocations on many of the sword blades of the Dar al Islam.

All best regards,
Jim