KILIJ/SHAMSHIR/SAIF FOR COMMENT

[Valjhun]

Dear Friends,

I ve recived photos of this sword today, wich is offered to me for a swap. It looks oddly to my eye. A put toghether sword I would dare to say. The scabbard pieces/crossguard are 19th c. persian I think. The decoration seems silver koftgari, Syrian 19th century. I do not like the wire, looks like new, and the hilt wich seems an ugly copy of ottoman kilij hilts. It seems that it does not go under the wire and that the flower decoration? :shrug: The blade however seems very nice to me. I made this observations based on photos I still havent hold the sword in person.

Is it a composite piece?

Any chance that the blade is actually wootz?

Any comment appreciated!

[Battara]

Composite - I will leave for the others. However I do see wootz.

[A.alnakkas]

The fittings are Syrian. Seems to be the 60's work. They still make them like this and with wootz blades or recently made ones.

I like it :-)

[Battara]

Although not my area, but the silver koftgari looks primitive and unprofessional to me.

[Valjhun]

Thank you gents! agree, the only part that is worth something is the blade. I will pass on that one....

[CharlesS]

Battara is right on the money I think.

[Valjhun]

Difficult to say, but I do not think that the blade is turkis, it looks more indian to me. Am I right?