The Omani Shamshiir.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams All. Perhaps the most Iconic of all Omani Swords is the famous curved weapon often highly adorned in silver and gold thus only worn by high office and particularly by the Rulers of Oman and Zanzibar. Oddly it is not called a Shamshiir in Oman but either referred to as a Sayf or a Kattara. Neither names do it justice, however, it is the international collectors term that I believe correctly addresses this weapon. It is indeed a weapon being nearly always of wootz and produced by the finest swordsmiths in the world. Inevitably the grand masters in Persia or Hyderabad were involved in making these swords but it is upon the waists of Omani dignatories that we focus here... The Omani Shamshiir.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams All ~Turning to the history books in this case the Richardson and Dorr ~The Craft Herritage Project publication.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[ariel]

What is so specifically Omani in these swords? They look to me like classical Persian, with the Badawi or Indian-style pleated wire covering the langet. And a lot of bling-bling that is likely not ethnic, but status-related:-)

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

What is so specifically Omani in these swords? They look to me like classical Persian, with the Badawi or Indian-style pleated wire covering the langet. And a lot of bling-bling that is likely not ethnic, but status-related:-)


Salaams Ariel. Well the point is accepted except~ So far as I can see the blades are Persian/Hyderabadi and much of the Hilt. After that I can see hand tooled Omani leather and Omani silver/ gold design which you call bling-bling... but which is old Omani design...thus it is ethnic.

I think we are all aware how swords from one region overlap and play into the styles and form of another. Indeed weapon form flowed too and fro depending on which military power base was the strongest. One could also argue that the Shamshiir isn't Persian but originally from Damascus. Further that the Omani Battle Sword design was taken from The Abasiid and that the Omani Dancing Sayf was absorbed from the Red Sea and that the curved Omani Kattara is a long hilt on a European Trade Blade..Thus the Persian Shamshiir influence on this Regal sword is hardly surprising.

One thing is certain... The Omani (and in the past Zanzibari) ruling families have adopted this weapon mainly as a show of Regal authority as a supreme badge of office. As you say "status related" but certainly absorbed into the style; The Omani Shamshiir. :shrug:

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[A.alnakkas]

What is so specifically Omani in these swords? They look to me like classical Persian, with the Badawi or Indian-style pleated wire covering the langet. And a lot of bling-bling that is likely not ethnic, but status-related:-)

The most definitive Omani features in these shamshirs is in the decoration. The floral decoration can be found at the throats of Omani khanjars. This can be seen on the chapes and lockets of the shamshirs. The leather on the scabbard is usually stitched in a distinctive Omani style seen on kattaras.

The wire wrap has a twist to it which can only be found in Omani style shamshirs.

They can be found with European blades.

[ariel]

Can you show a close-up of the decorative motif?
Also, how does the knot differ from other ( Badawi, Hyderabadi) ones?

The bottom line, I'd like to see better pics and have a bit more explanation.
Thanks, Ibrahim and Lotfi!


And, BTW, the idea of shamshir likely came to Iran from the Arabs who, in turn, got it from the Khazars during 2 centuries of trying to break their defences and invade Europe from the east. Charles Martel and Khazars preserved Europe as we know it.
But weapons were, indeed, widely appropriated and many had only decorative elements to distinguish them from their origins.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Can you show a close-up of the decorative motif?
Also, how does the knot differ from other ( Badawi, Hyderabadi) ones?

The bottom line, I'd like to see better pics and have a bit more explanation.
Thanks, Ibrahim and Lotfi!


And, BTW, the idea of shamshir likely came to Iran from the Arabs who, in turn, got it from the Khazars during 2 centuries of trying to break their defences and invade Europe from the east. Charles Martel and Khazars preserved Europe as we know it.
But weapons were, indeed, widely appropriated and many had only decorative elements to distinguish them from their origins.



Salaams Ariel ~Ya Thats what I'm doing and why I opened the thread. At #2 is about as close up as I've got which shows the Omani style in tooling on the leather and typical scroll work in the silver and gold. I'm in the Museum next month so I will continue to pour in the detail.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Atlantia]

Namaste Ibrahiim,

Obviously the 'Shamshir' was a supremely influential weapon and certainly travelled widely.
If we just look at it's influence on European military officers swords loosely termed 'Mameluke', there are all stages of variation from actual unmodified shamshir and Kilij through imported remounted blades and of course the (majority) European swords simply made in the 'Mameluke' style (Ie; loosely emulating Shamshir).

So, when we look at your two examples they do seem to have been "lightly Omanicised". But are you saying that there are also 100% Omani made versions of these swords? (Say pre WW2?)
Because if so that would indeed be an interesting and distinct local 'version'.

I had to smile when I read "Inevitably the grand masters in Persia or Hyderabad were involved in making these swords" (The ones shown).
I found myself imagining a picture of the laundry room in the Titanic, full to the brim with Egyptian cotton sheets, towels, pillowcases and napkins and claiming that the Titanic was a Egyptian ship even though some Irish shipbuilders were inevitably involved in making her. :D

Teasing aside ;) These locally dressed swords are interesting and clearly as has been pointed out would have been instantly recognisable (worldwide) as a fashionable cross-cultural status symbol which clearly survived as such in certain circles in Oman into the modern period.
You could fill a fair sized thread with pictures of all manner of the great and the good carrying Shamshir and Kilij in the 19th century.

However, from what I can see of the two above, I'd call them 'Lightly Omanicised Shamshir' ;)

Regards
Gene

[Atlantia]

*snip*
But weapons were, indeed, widely appropriated and many had only decorative elements to distinguish them from their origins.

Just so.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Namaste Ibrahiim,

Obviously the 'Shamshir' was a supremely influential weapon and certainly travelled widely.
If we just look at it's influence on European military officers swords loosely termed 'Mameluke', there are all stages of variation from actual unmodified shamshir and Kilij through imported remounted blades and of course the (majority) European swords simply made in the 'Mameluke' style (Ie; loosely emulating Shamshir).

So, when we look at your two examples they do seem to have been "lightly Omanicised". But are you saying that there are also 100% Omani made versions of these swords? (Say pre WW2?)
Because if so that would indeed be an interesting and distinct local 'version'.

I had to smile when I read "Inevitably the grand masters in Persia or Hyderabad were involved in making these swords" (The ones shown).
I found myself imagining a picture of the laundry room in the Titanic, full to the brim with Egyptian cotton sheets, towels, pillowcases and napkins and claiming that the Titanic was a Egyptian ship even though some Irish shipbuilders were inevitably involved in making her. :D

Teasing aside ;) These locally dressed swords are interesting and clearly as has been pointed out would have been instantly recognisable (worldwide) as a fashionable cross-cultural status symbol which clearly survived as such in certain circles in Oman into the modern period.
You could fill a fair sized thread with pictures of all manner of the great and the good carrying Shamshir and Kilij in the 19th century.

However, from what I can see of the two above, I'd call them 'Lightly Omanicised Shamshir' ;)

Regards
Gene


Salaams Atlantia .. I haven't seen a fully home grown (all made in Oman) Shamshiir and I doubt if one exists. The closest I think may be from the turn of the century in a small production unit in Al Ain close to Buraimi but that is another story. Wootz is not something normally seen in Omani produced swords/daggers though there are instances where wootz blades have appeared on long Omani hilts matched later.

I agree with the idea of Omanised weapons ... Some weapons were produced in other countries and used and adopted here. That is true about the blades of the curved Omani Kattara and of gunpowder weapons from abu Futtlia to cannon to Martini Henry and Enfields. That can even be argued about the Omani Battle Sword as I illustrate it as "copied in"... from the Abasiid... in 751 AD.

I hope that my posts do not infer that Shamshiir in Oman were made in Oman... not at all ... but owning a sword signed by one of the great sword makers of Persia (a next door trading partner and in the past waring enemies/friends on and off) added great cudos to the weapon and the person weilding it (presumably :) ) and in that context I think the Islamic script ... and indeed the whole blade and hilt configuration held some powerful effect in this part of the world... apart from being the height of technology "bladed weapon wise" ~ it expressed a certain level in Arabian society...Rich Man-Rich Sword..The word "Icon" springs to mind.

These were sought after by countries close to Persia and made on commission or offered as the ultimate in royal/diplomatic gifts to visiting heads of state. Oman being right on that particular doorstep was the fortunate receiver of such "Royal" weapons and has a rich history with its neighbours.

In another way if we look at good European blades and the way they swept the world particularly Africa and even today continue to be rehilted on weird and wonderful foreign hilts. I mean no-one blinks at seeing a Solingen blade on an Omani, Ethiopian, Red Sea or Indian Hilt.

The Shamshiir is very much part of the Regal Scene and may have entered Omani culture early in its appearance. If my memory serves me well the great master was taken from Damascus to Isfahan in 16thC...and worked in the Safavid court royal workshops on such "Persian" Shamshiir.(although I do not forget the Hyderabad weapons probably traded in by the famous Hyderabadi Khojas... who later became absorbed as Omanis in Muscat)

Swords with expired great masters names on them in fact continued until ... today.

The Omanised bits of the weapon appear to be decorative and include the chape and drag plus other gold and silver work on the rings furniture and throat...and Omani tooled leather to the scabbard and possibly Omani work on the carrying belt. Here I must also place the unusual knot as apparently Omani. To that end it is indeed viewable as you describe as "Lightly Omanicised" but as I noted initially my focus is not just on the sword but on the person wearing it. :shrug:

Thus; "The Omani Shamshiir".

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Atlantia]

Salaams Atlantia .. I haven't seen a fully home grown (all made in Oman) Shamshiir and I doubt if one exists. The closest I think may be from the turn of the century in a small production unit in Al Ain close to Buraimi but that is another story. Wootz is not something normally seen in Omani produced swords/daggers though there are instances where wootz blades have appeared on long Omani hilts matched later.

I agree with the idea of Omanised weapons ... Some weapons were produced in other countries and used and adopted here. That is true about the blades of the curved Omani Kattara and of gunpowder weapons from abu Futtlia to cannon to Martini Henry and Enfields. That can even be argued about the Omani Battle Sword as I illustrate it as "copied in"... from the Abasiid... in 751 AD.

I hope that my posts do not infer that Shamshiir in Oman were made in Oman... not at all ... but owning a sword signed by one of the great sword makers of Persia (a next door trading partner and in the past waring enemies/friends on and off) added great cudos to the weapon and the person weilding it (presumably :) ) and in that context I think the Islamic script ... and indeed the whole blade and hilt configuration held some powerful effect in this part of the world... apart from being the height of technology "bladed weapon wise" ~ it expressed a certain level in Arabian society...Rich Man-Rich Sword..The word "Icon" springs to mind.

These were sought after by countries close to Persia and made on commission or offered as the ultimate in royal/diplomatic gifts to visiting heads of state. Oman being right on that particular doorstep was the fortunate receiver of such "Royal" weapons and has a rich history with its neighbours.

In another way if we look at good European blades and the way they swept the world particularly Africa and even today continue to be rehilted on weird and wonderful foreign hilts. I mean no-one blinks at seeing a Solingen blade on an Omani, Ethiopian, Red Sea or Indian Hilt.

The Shamshiir is very much part of the Regal Scene and may have entered Omani culture early in its appearance. If my memory serves me well the great master was taken from Damascus to Isfahan in 16thC...and worked in the Safavid court royal workshops on such "Persian" Shamshiir.(although I do not forget the Hyderabad weapons probably traded in by the famous Hyderabadi Khojas... who later became absorbed as Omanis in Muscat)

Swords with expired great masters names on them in fact continued until ... today.

The Omanised bits of the weapon appear to be decorative and include the chape and drag plus other gold and silver work on the rings furniture and throat...and Omani tooled leather to the scabbard and possibly Omani work on the carrying belt. To that end it is indeed viewable as you describe as "Lightly Omanicised" but as I noted initially my focus is not just on the sword but on the person wearing it. :shrug:

Thus; "The Omani Shamshiir".

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Salutations Ibrahiim,

Indeed many Omani Kattara have imported blades, both curved sabre type and straight 'broadsword' trade-blade type.
Ah! But all Shamshir and Kattara are Sayf, but not all Sayf are Shamshir or Kattara! ;)
Although the "Shamshir" is a common sword type with many region specific variations I also don't remember ever seeing a Shamshir attributed to local production in Oman.
However, that said the slight Omani touches on these imported swords are still interesting and I'm sure would add a premium to Shamshir sold to Omani collectors.
I assume that you intend to have your silverworkers "Omanicise" some plain Shamshir emulating those you have shown?

These local re-dressings are interesting and it would be good to see some other historic examples of "Omanicised" Shamshir to compare the 'level' of re-dressing with the work on the two you show.


Regards
Gene

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salutations Ibrahiim,

Indeed many Omani Kattara have imported blades, both curved sabre type and straight 'broadsword' trade-blade type.
Ah! But all Shamshir and Kattara are Sayf, but not all Sayf are Shamshir or Kattara! ;)
Although the "Shamshir" is a common sword type with many region specific variations I also don't remember ever seeing a Shamshir attributed to local production in Oman.
However, that said the slight Omani touches on these imported swords are still interesting and I'm sure would add a premium to Shamshir sold to Omani collectors.
I assume that you intend to have your silverworkers "Omanicise" some plain Shamshir emulating those you have shown?

These local re-dressings are interesting and it would be good to see some other historic examples of "Omanicised" Shamshir to compare the 'level' of re-dressing with the work on the two you show.


Regards
Gene


Salaams Atlantia; Well that was a tongue twister and I'm still trying to fathom the ins and outs of your limeric about Kattaras and Sayfs :)

I've never seen a straight Omani Sayf dancing sword with a European blade and I've seen thousands of these blades. (except in the case of known rehilted jobs emanating through Mutrah Souk attached workshops and done in the last few decades there. They are all locally made blades and in the case of stamps of blade inscriptions they are all either copies of stamps or locally construed stamps.

The curved Omani Kattara on the other hand come in a variety of stamps both with and without and local as well as European stamps copied and/or original.

There is also to my knowledge no such animal as a localised Omani Shamshiir that you imagine are waiting to be given the full conversion to Omani like the ones at posts above. I have seen a couple of RAK old examples but I have no knowledge on the upgrading proceedure or when it was done or by whom. They all appear to be special commissions to which your next question is ... Well who added the Omani stuff ? I have absolutely no idea... but it is on my list to find out from the museums. I suspect commissioned to order perhaps from a Muscat specialist as yet not identified but attached to the Royal Court? Omani Shamshiir are dead rare. Ive never seen one outside of a museum which is where all my Omani Shamshiir exhibits are from (or a museum related book).

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams All ~ Pictures from The Muscat Museum. I will have a better selection later. These are so rare that anything we can obtain for records is worth having.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi. :shrug:

[Atlantia]

Salaams Atlantia; Well that was a tongue twister and I'm still trying to fathom the ins and outs of your limeric about Kattaras and Sayfs :)

I've never seen a straight Omani Sayf dancing sword with a European blade and I've seen thousands of these blades. (except in the case of known rehilted jobs emanating through Mutrah Souk attached workshops and done in the last few decades there. They are all locally made blades and in the case of stamps of blade inscriptions they are all either copies of stamps or locally construed stamps.

The curved Omani Kattara on the other hand come in a variety of stamps both with and without and local as well as European stamps copied and/or original.

There is also to my knowledge no such animal as a localised Omani Shamshiir that you imagine are waiting to be given the full conversion to Omani like the ones at posts above. I have seen a couple of RAK old examples but I have no knowledge on the upgrading proceedure or when it was done or by whom. They all appear to be special commissions to which your next question is ... Well who added the Omani stuff ? I have absolutely no idea... but it is on my list to find out from the museums. I suspect commissioned to order perhaps from a Muscat specialist as yet not identified but attached to the Royal Court? Omani Shamshiir are dead rare. Ive never seen one outside of a museum which is where all my Omani Shamshiir exhibits are from (or a museum related book).

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Konnichiwa Ibrahiim,

I agree that all the modern straight Kattara probobly do have locally made blades. All the modern ones that I've seen are frankly 'only' fit for dancing with :shrug:
But I've seen older ones with good double edged blades clearly of the same genre of trade blades exported en-masse from Europe, oft copied locally and seen in such varied incarnations as Kaskara, Mandinko swords, etc, etc...

Hold on, didn't I show you a short tang trade blade of the type commonly seen in Kaskara mounted up as a Kattara?

Anyway, the Shamshir.
What you seem to have above are two 'fairly standard' form Shamshir exported widely and in this incarnation re-dressed with some locally made mounts.
The form hasn't been altered a breath and if it wasn't for the close-up pictures you could easily not even notice that these have had a holiday in Oman.
I'm suprised that you're not going to source some plain or tatty shamshir and have your silverworkers redress them in Omani style?

As to 'who' added the Omani mounts to the originals?
These swords (and related types) were widely admired across half the world. Given the time you could probobly find dozens of retro-fitted and locally embellished Shamshir from as many different countries.
I would assume that these were simply imported of gifted swords given a slightly local flavour to 'Omanicise' them.

As to them being rare?
I would conjecture that many might not have been modified at all or only lightly re-dressed, so would only be distinguishable by knowledge of their actual provenance or possibly just by their scabbard?
Once removed from their direct history or parted from their Omanicised scabbard their 'connection' to Oman is lost.
Which is why the two complete examples that you show are so interesting.
There is no reason why Shamshir might not have been popular among certain wealthier "Omani" in times past and the majority might not have been modified at all.
So like many of our swords, their 'history' is lost over time.

Regards
Gene

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Konnichiwa Ibrahiim,

I agree that all the modern straight Kattara probobly do have locally made blades. All the modern ones that I've seen are frankly 'only' fit for dancing with :shrug:
But I've seen older ones with good double edged blades clearly of the same genre of trade blades exported en-masse from Europe, oft copied locally and seen in such varied incarnations as Kaskara, Mandinko swords, etc, etc...

Hold on, didn't I show you a short tang trade blade of the type commonly seen in Kaskara mounted up as a Kattara?

Anyway, the Shamshir.
What you seem to have above are two 'fairly standard' form Shamshir exported widely and in this incarnation re-dressed with some locally made mounts.
The form hasn't been altered a breath and if it wasn't for the close-up pictures you could easily not even notice that these have had a holiday in Oman.
I'm suprised that you're not going to source some plain or tatty shamshir and have your silverworkers redress them in Omani style?

As to 'who' added the Omani mounts to the originals?
These swords (and related types) were widely admired across half the world. Given the time you could probobly find dozens of retro-fitted and locally embellished Shamshir from as many different countries.
I would assume that these were simply imported of gifted swords given a slightly local flavour to 'Omanicise' them.

As to them being rare?
I would conjecture that many might not have been modified at all or only lightly re-dressed, so would only be distinguishable by knowledge of their actual provenance or possibly just by their scabbard?
Once removed from their direct history or parted from their Omanicised scabbard their 'connection' to Oman is lost.
Which is why the two complete examples that you show are so interesting.
There is no reason why Shamshir might not have been popular among certain wealthier "Omani" in times past and the majority might not have been modified at all.
So like many of our swords, their 'history' is lost over time.

Regards
Gene


Salaams Atlantia I agree indeed ... I could have written exactly that ! :) There appear to be only a couple of these in the entire museums weapons collections in Muscat... As I say I have only seen one or two "in the wild" and they were very ropey. The finer items may well have been gifted or special commissions..

On the subject of European blades ... older ones ... remounted on Omani longhilts I've seen a lot. Trouble is they all appear to have been joined after about 1970 in Muscat Muttrah Souk for the tourist market. I showed a Solingen blade to that effect on Kattara for comments but it was stuck together only recently. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=10455 . Please see # 228 #250 One shows ropey Shamshiirs and the other recent European remounted blades.

Anyway like a lot of other points to recheck this is high on my list for my Muscat Museum visit program in the next 3 months. Thanks for the post :)

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Atlantia]

Salaams Atlantia I agree indeed ... I could have written exactly that ! :) There appear to be only a couple of these in the entire museums weapons collections in Muscat... As I say I have only seen one or two "in the wild" and they were very ropey. The finer items may well have been gifted or special commissions..

On the subject of European blades ... older ones ... remounted on Omani longhilts I've seen a lot. Trouble is they all appear to have been joined after about 1970 in Muscat Muttrah Souk for the tourist market. I showed a Solingen blade to that effect on Kattara for comments but it was stuck together only recently. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=10455 . Please see # 228 #250 One shows ropey Shamshiirs and the other recent European remounted blades.

Anyway like a lot of other points to recheck this is high on my list for my Muscat Museum visit program in the next 3 months. Thanks for the post :)

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.


Namaste Ibrahiim ;)


I've hunted out the original reference to the 'relic' Kattara below and found the owners description:
He says: A friend's father "pulled it out of the thatch of an old house back in the 1960's in Kildare. The sword has remained in his family since then.".

It seems fair to assume that the sword was there for some considerable time to achieve this level of decay but it's age when abandoned is of course subject to debate.
My personal view would be that it was a 19thC Kattara (of Saif as you like to call them) brought back by some Irish soldier in the early part of the 20thC.
I use it as an example simply because it's state of disrepair reveals that imho it is a trade blade of the type often seen in Kaskara etc.
I would also say that it's origins were in Europe and that the multitude of these being exported in the 18th/19thC supported various 'final products' along the trade routes from Africa into the ME.

Funnily enough I know a dealer with one of the wide fullered trade blades mounted up in original configuration as a Victorian 'Medieval broadsword'.

Anyway, you are very welcome and thanks for sharing these interesting re-dressed Shamshir. Far more my cup of tea than kattara! ;)

Regards
Gene

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Namaste Ibrahiim ;)


I've hunted out the original reference to the 'relic' Kattara below and found the owners description:
He says: A friend's father "pulled it out of the thatch of an old house back in the 1960's in Kildare. The sword has remained in his family since then.".

It seems fair to assume that the sword was there for some considerable time to achieve this level of decay but it's age when abandoned is of course subject to debate.
My personal view would be that it was a 19thC Kattara (of Saif as you like to call them) brought back by some Irish soldier in the early part of the 20thC.
I use it as an example simply because it's state of disrepair reveals that imho it is a trade blade of the type often seen in Kaskara etc.
I would also say that it's origins were in Europe and that the multitude of these being exported in the 18th/19thC supported various 'final products' along the trade routes from Africa into the ME.

Funnily enough I know a dealer with one of the wide fullered trade blades mounted up in original configuration as a Victorian 'Medieval broadsword'.

Anyway, you are very welcome and thanks for sharing these interesting re-dressed Shamshir. Far more my cup of tea than kattara! ;)

Regards
Gene


Salaams Atlantia ~ Yes well... I would hate to do the post mortem on this one ! It could be Portuguese, German, Red Sea or as you say Omani and the pommel is certainly of the latter type. I dont know what conditions it was stored in but it looks like it has had a rough time ..wet, damp conditions over 100 years can be very agressive. The hilt is extended with tang...single broad fuller. The usual method of production for Omani Sayfs was tang and blade as one piece thus this is likely to be a conversion.

The debate is on as to whether there is such a thing as a European Trade blade viz a viz Omani Sayfs.. Omani Straight dancing swords. Please feel free to join this debate on The Omani Sayf. ( The Omani Straight Dancing Sword) http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=16795

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Atlantia]

Salaams Atlantia ~ Yes well... I would hate to do the post mortem on this one ! It could be Portuguese, German, Red Sea or as you say Omani and the pommel is certainly of the latter type. I dont know what conditions it was stored in but it looks like it has had a rough time ..wet, damp conditions over 100 years can be very agressive. The hilt is extended with tang...single broad fuller. The usual method of production for Omani Sayfs was tang and blade as one piece thus this is likely to be a conversion.

The debate is on as to whether there is such a thing as a European Trade blade viz a viz Omani Sayfs.. Omani Straight dancing swords. Please feel free to join this debate on The Omani Sayf. ( The Omani Straight Dancing Sword) http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=16795

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.


Sup Ibrahiim,

The relic sword is surely an example of a trade blade used in a Kattara?

I wouldn't get too caught up on the Kaskara attribution simply because that's where we see this kind of blade most commonly.
To conclude that this blade started out IN a Kaskara seems like a bit of a stretch to me.
My limited experience of de-hilted Kaskara with a European blade (one that I owned many years ago) is that it also had a short tang with a single hole which appeared to be how it had been supplied from it's source in Europe and not locally cut down.

To illustrate this I add a picture from this thread:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=8269
Showing a trade blade with a seemingly original short tang the same as the one that I previously owned and the relic example above.
I would suggest that the logical assumption was that these were being traded en-masse to whoever wanted them and that while many ended up as Kaskara, some also ended up as Mandinka swords, Takouba and Kattara.


Unless someone can say with certainty that the trade blades were supplied with conventional long tangs and ONLY shortened 'in theatre' as they were being made into Kaskara?

Regards
Gene

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams Atlanta... Just to remind you that you are on the Omani Shamshiir thread and better perhaps to be on the Omani Sayf thread...The Straight Omani Sayf; but to continue...well it would take some science to prove thats an Omani blade but ok lets say its an Omani Straight Sayf.

I didnt mention Kaskara?

The blade you add is a trade blade and I put it to forum that no Omani Straight Sayfs originate from those..I have tentatively agreed that there mmay be some inclusion of form taken from the fullers designs but no more. They made their own or got them from somewhere else... India or Yemen possibly?

Kindly consider bringing the question onto the right thread... :)

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Atlantia]

(snip)
The debate is on as to whether there is such a thing as a European Trade blade viz a viz Omani Sayfs.. Omani Straight dancing swords. Please feel free to join this debate on The Omani Sayf. (snip)
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

P.S.
I've not really got anything else to add Ibrahiim :shrug:
Kattara aren't really my bag (at all) and Iain is certainly the chap to talk Takouba, Kaskara and trade blades of this type as well I would imagine!

[Atlantia]

Salaams Atlanta... Just to remind you that you are on the Omani Shamshiir thread and better perhaps to be on the Omani Sayf thread...The Straight Omani Sayf; but to continue...well it would take some science to prove thats an Omani blade but ok lets say its an Omani Straight Sayf.

I didnt mention Kaskara?

The blade you add is a trade blade and I put it to forum that no Omani Straight Sayfs originate from those..I have tentatively agreed that there mmay be some inclusion of form taken from the fullers designs but no more. They made their own or got them from somewhere else... India or Yemen possibly?

Kindly consider bringing the question onto the right thread... :)

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.


Namaste Ibrahiim,

Yeah, I don't really want to get into the whole Kattara/Saif, flexi/stiff, dancing/combat debate.
I've got plans for the next year.... or two ;)

With the relic blade above, I thought you suggested in the original thread that it was a reused Kaskara blade, but I have to admit that I did lose the will to live about 6 or 7 pages into that thread so I could easily be misquoting your meaning.
I'm not sure how you're explaining this blade any other way than how I suggest, but if you don't want to continue to discuss it within this 'Omanicised Shamshir' thread :p then no problem. I don't want to derail this thread and turn it into another debate on Kattara.

So back to Shamshir it is! :)

Regards
Gene

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Namaste Ibrahiim,

Yeah, I don't really want to get into the whole Kattara/Saif, flexi/stiff, dancing/combat debate.
I've got plans for the next year.... or two ;)

With the relic blade above, I thought you suggested in the original thread that it was a reused Kaskara blade, but I have to admit that I did lose the will to live about 6 or 7 pages into that thread so I could easily be misquoting your meaning.
I'm not sure how you're explaining this blade any other way than how I suggest, but if you don't want to continue to discuss it within this 'Omanicised Shamshir' thread :p then no problem. I don't want to derail this thread and turn it into another debate on Kattara.

So back to Shamshir it is! :)

Regards
Gene


Salaams Atlantia ~ I will discus anything anywhere but as you point out the Kattara for comments was a bit big... thats why I've hived off the different forms (theres only 4)of Omani swords... all very different as you know. That way you can dip into each specific type without going in through "War and Peace" and the 300 posts plus ~ which are all very meaningful and full of important detail...I have to add that because I wrote most of it. :) Anyway 17,000 hits aint at all bad.
No really! it would enhance that thread to have your comments on it... after all if a research student is looking at Omani Sayfs he wouldn't really find your excellent input here so why not join the debate over on Omani Sayfs ? :shrug:

Here it is...http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=16795

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Atlantia]

Salaams Atlantia ~ I will discus anything anywhere but as you point out the Kattara for comments was a bit big... thats why I've hived off the different forms (theres only 4)of Omani swords... all very different as you know. That way you can dip into each specific type without going in through "War and Peace" and the 300 posts plus ~ which are all very meaningful and full of important detail...I have to add that because I wrote most of it. :) Anyway 17,000 hits aint at all bad.
No really! it would enhance that thread to have your comments on it... after all if a research student is looking at Omani Sayfs he wouldn't really find your excellent input here so why not join the debate over on Omani Sayfs ? :shrug:

Here it is...http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=16795

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

LOL! You're very kind Ibrahiim.
But I'll stick to the Shamshir :)

[Jim McDougall]

Absolutely brilliant discourse you guys! I really like this...keeping a sense of humor even in conflict, and both working to keep the thread on track!!
Thank you both!

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Absolutely brilliant discourse you guys! I really like this...keeping a sense of humor even in conflict, and both working to keep the thread on track!!
Thank you both!


Salaams Jim McDougall~ No conflict with Atlantia at all... matter of fact its a great pleasure. The real work, for me, on Shamshiirs will begin once I can get into the Museums next week. I note that Whimperial Arms are showing some Shamshiir in their auctions. Once they have cleared I'm sure we can ingest the pictures into library. :)
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Atlantia]

Absolutely brilliant discourse you guys! I really like this...keeping a sense of humor even in conflict, and both working to keep the thread on track!!
Thank you both!

You're a gentleman Jim

Thank you.

It's those who gently disagree with our theories who keep us all grounded... So I count myself blessed indeed that people so often disagree with mine! ;)

I totally echo Ibrahiim's words when he says that there is no conflict between us and I enjoy debating with someone so passionate about their field of study.

I'm sure Ibrahiim knows that my gentle teasing is meant in good humour.
...As I hope does everyone else who recieves it :o

Best
Gene

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams all Note to Library... More pictures..of Shamshiir...plus a little sketch of the Palace at Zanzibar.... for atmosphere...

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.[QUOTE] :shrug:

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams.. Note to Library ... Logically (always a dangerous word in ethnographics).. If you move around the Indian Ocean more examples of Omani Shamshir ought to be present. The reason being that Oman owned a fair slice of territories in the 19th Century having really first started expanding militarily after deposing the Portuguese from Muscat in 1650... They quickly followed up and expelled them from Zanzibar 2 years later.

Thus I present the Comoros Shamshir..

The COMOROS Islands~Small Islands between the Northern tip of Madagascar and mainland Africa. The Comoro Islands or Comoros (Shikomori Komori; Arabic جزر القمر Juzur al-Qamar; French Les Comores) form an archipelago of volcanic islands situated off the south-east coast of Africa, to the east of Mozambique and north-west of Madagascar. They are divided between the sovereign state of the Comoros and the French overseas department of Mayotte. The islet of Banc du Geyser and the Glorioso Islands are sometimes included as part of the archipelago.

Amongst the photos is an interesting coin which could be entitled the Ethnographic Arms Coin !! since it is awash with weapons.
The Shamshir is well documented in the pictures.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams~ Note to Library. Another Shamshir. The Sword of Henry Morton Stanley (of Livingstone Fame..) was presented to Stanley by non other than Sultan Bargash of Zanzibar in his final days. I note it went under the hammer at Quisties London for a reasonable sum recently.

Below~Bargash shown in a photo and a sketch with his Shamshir and the one he gave away, presented to Stanley whose portrait is also shown.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi. :shrug:

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams All ~Just to focus on ...The Omani Shamshir.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams All...I went searching for Omani Shamshir of any description perhaps presented to visitors or whatever.. and found this peculiar double presentation of a Yatagan and a Shamshir...to the same person. and Described by the Auctioneer Thomas Del Mar (hammer price recieved) as...

Quote"THE GILT-BRASS MOUNTED SHAMSHIR PRESENTED TO
SIR CORNWALLIS RICKETTS BY THE IMAM OF MUSCAT
AND SULTAN OF ZANZIBAR, CIRCA 1845.

With curved blade double-edged towards the point, etched
and gilt with celestial motifs within a panel over the forte
on each side (worn), gilt-brass hilt cast with scroll work
enclosing expanded flower heads in low relief, comprising
cross-piece with fluted terminals, a pair of langets, and
integral grip rising to the pommel, in its original leather
covered wooden scabbard, with large gilt-brass mounts
comprising locket and chape chased with flowers and
foliage and a pair of suspension mounts decorated with
masks in the French taste; together with
A TURKISH SILVER-GILT MOUNTED YATAGHAN, 19TH CENTURY".Unquote.

I have to say I found this very odd since it is a Shamshir but not in the Omani style but in the French... and presented to an Englishman!

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Viscouse]

Hello all. First post on this glorious venue.

I would like to introduce you to what I think can be a very close cousin to the Omani Shamshir. While not as curved as a shamshir, it is most decidedly not straight. The wrapping on the handle leads me to believe it is Omani.

I'm very eager to know if anyone can lend any expertise in telling me more about this blade. Extra credit goes to the lucky person who can translate, or even identify the language of, the writing on the scabbard.

Please forgive me for reviving this wonderfully aged thread, but I thought it was too close to the Omani Shamshir to start a new thread. If that is not the case I shall do so.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Hello all. First post on this glorious venue.

I would like to introduce you to what I think can be a very close cousin to the Omani Shamshir. While not as curved as a shamshir, it is most decidedly not straight. The wrapping on the handle leads me to believe it is Omani.

I'm very eager to know if anyone can lend any expertise in telling me more about this blade. Extra credit goes to the lucky person who can translate, or even identify the language of, the writing on the scabbard.

Please forgive me for reviving this wonderfully aged thread, but I thought it was too close to the Omani Shamshir to start a new thread. If that is not the case I shall do so.

Salaams Viscouse~ Perhaps you can't upload the picture... Just send it and Forum will apply it...or send it to me and I will float it in...Is the sword you have related to the weapons at http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=21555&highlight=SHAMSHIIR

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Viscouse]

Will this work? It looks JUST LIKE that picture!

= link to pictures of writing
= link to pictures of sword

[Excalibur2025]

Hi all, I have an Omani shamshir that was found in Zanzibar.

I just wondered, is this thread still active and is Mr al Balooshi still available?

I am looking to get some additional information about the shamshir.

[kahnjar1]

Any Photos?

[Excalibur2025]

The sword was dug up from the earth (but not that deep - just below the surface).

We assume the grip would have been walrus ivory but it looks like the ivory has completely decomposed until there's nothing left. Does anyone know how long it would take walrus ivory to decompose in tropical conditions?

(I tried to post a photo but it wouldn't upload. I will try again later).

[Excalibur2025]

Photo of the hilt:

[kahnjar1]

Persian? Others will no doubt may have a better idea.

[Excalibur2025]

Yes, it's Persian, but most likely would have been owned by an Omani.

Just trying to figure out if the ivory blocks on the grip have been removed or decomposed while underground. We're looking at potentially more than four years in soil exposed to a tropical climate including heat and torrential rain in the rainy seasons.

[kahnjar1]

Not necessarily owned by an Omani. Many countries traded thru Zanzibar including the Omanis.
Why do you think that the grip was ivory? Could just as easily been bone or giraffe hoof, or for that matter a wood of some sort. If it was ivory (suggesting a high class owner) it would also point to the grip dressing being silver. From your photos it would appear that the grip is not silver.
Could you post a photo of the whole sword please.

[Jim McDougall]

As well noted by Kahnjar, Zanzibar was a key trade center in the 19th century and of course being an Omani sultanate, there were considerable numbers of the types of edged weapons commonly in use in Arabia in that context.

The Persian shamshir was a highly prized sword by Arabs throughout the Dar al Islam, so presence of this example in Zanzibar is not unusual. It seems unusual that the hilt material is gone as I thought bone, ivory etc. would survive in an archaeological deposit. More likely of course the ivory would have been taken for its value and the sword discarded.
By the same token, if the hilt was silver, that too would have been taken.

Always fascinating when any weapon is found in situ, and speculating how, when and why it ended up where found. Thank you for posting this!

[Excalibur2025]

It's worth bearing in mind the climate of Zanzibar. It's a tropical island six degrees below the equator. It has two rainy seasons with torrential rain and flooding. Annual rainfall is av. 1684 mm (compared to 1,168 in the UK). So Zanzibar gets nearly 50% more rain than the UK. So it can be very wet and humid. The average temp. is 25 - 30 degrees C.

So the sword would have been exposed to a lot of water while in the soil. Imagine what those conditions would do for between 300 and 500 years...

[Excalibur2025]

Here's the sword. It's almost exactly the same dimensions as the shamshir in the National Museum of Oman, except the blade is slightly narrower. However, there might be a reason for that, which I'll go into on another post. The shamshir in the museum is dated 1675 CE, but I think the Zanzibar shamshir is older.

[Excalibur2025]

In fact, it's rainy season right now in Zanzibar.

It's not like the drizzle in the UK - it's a proper tropical downpour. It can go on for hours. If you're outside you get completely drenched, even with an umbrella.

[Oliver Pinchot]

At the earliest, this blade could be late 17th c. Much likelier mid-late 18th century. The guard is 18th century. Where it was found doesn't impact its origins, it is Persian, plain and simple. That it was carried (and apparently lost) in Zanzibar is an interesting side note, but that is all you can say about it. On the other hand, if the blade were inscribed for example, MY NAME IS MUSTAFA, I'M OMANI AND THIS HERE IS MY SWORD, you could make a case for such an attribution.

There are excavated ivory artifacts dating back over 40,000 years which are surprisingly intact. No type of ivory I'm aware of degrades easily or quickly. Assuming the grips were ivory, which is far from certain unless there were particles attached to the tang, this sword lost its grips before it was... interred, as it were.... They were just as likely to be horn or wood.

An overall image would be helpful.

[Excalibur2025]

At the earliest, this blade could be late 17th c. Much likelier mid-late 18th century. The guard is 18th century. Where it was found doesn't impact its origins, it is Persian, plain and simple. That it was carried (and apparently lost) in Zanzibar is an interesting side note.

There are excavated ivory artifacts dating back over 40,000 years which are surprisingly intact. No type of ivory I'm aware of degrades easily or quickly. Assuming the grips were ivory, which is far from certain unless there were particles attached to the tang, this sword lost its grips before it was... interred, as it were....

An overall image would be helpful.

Ivory can degrade within hundreds or thousands of years depending on the conditions. I had this confirmed by an expert in ivory. The local expert said in this case it would take more than four hundred years. The handle shows remnants of a white substance and there are also white traces at the top of the blade.

As I mentioned before, the tropical climate is very different to what most people are used to. We get nearly 50% more rain than the UK, plus of course it's very fertile here with lots of bacteria etc.

As for the style, two experts have said it's 17th century but could be earlier. The shamshir in the National Museum of Oman is almost the same style dated as 1675 CE.

[Excalibur2025]

Here's a link to an Australian museum website that mentions conditions for the deterioration of ivory:

https://manual.museum.wa.gov.au/book/export/html/63/index.html#:~:text=Ivory%20is%20particularly%20sen sitive%20to,of%20these%20materials%20by%20acids.

[Jim McDougall]

Oliver thank you so much for coming in on this!!Well noted on the fact that the place where a sword is found, whether intact, as a heirloom, trophy or as in this case, an excavated relic ...makes little difference as far as the origins of the item itself.

Going forward with research from various sources, I hope my interpretations might lend to some viable assessment of this example, and I always hope for corrections as required.

In this case, with the fact that this shamshir, clearly of Persian form and of course likely origin, was excavated from a local area after being in situ for an indeterminate period, in Zanzibar.

It is suggested that it would be likely that such a high quality sword might be expected to be found in Zanzibar as this was of course an Omani Sultanate, and with Omanis, as throughout the Dar al-Islam, the Persian shamshir was a highly prized mark of status.

With Zanzibar being a most dynamic entrepot for trade and diplomatic contact in East Africa linking the Red Sea, Gulf, and India with the Omani ports in Bahrain and Muscat being key in the network.
After the death of Said bin Sultan in Zanzibar in 1856, his dominions were split into two separate Sultanates based in MUSCAT and ZANZIBAR.

In Muscat, there was a resident population of Persian merchants who imported, assembled and exported arms into the interior, but certainly to Zanzibar as well.
(material taken from "Arms & Armor of Arabia in the 18th and 19th c", Robert Elgood, 1994, p.2, not quoted).

In looking at the example in discussion, the high relief calligraphy in the center of the cross guard reminded me of the use of the bold thuluth script as used decoratively in various Islamic situations. This pen (style) of Islamic calligraphy was popularized by Mehmed Sevki Efendi in the 19th c. but as written was also well known my Mustafah Rakira Efendi (1757-1826).
This is far out of my field, but the primary point here is that the inscription in the guard seems Thuluth, and Ottoman centered. Thuluth evolved with Ottoman calligrapher Hafiz Osman in the 17th century.

To be more specific, the thuluth style brought to mind the distinct blades which began being produced in Khorassan, Qazuin and Isfahan in response to increased demand for Persian blades both there and abroad in the late 18th early 19th century. These were heavier, with more complex system of fullers and grooves and with cartouche with pictogram of lion as well as large panel of this kind of calligraphy on other side of blade. These blades have been regarded as 'Persian revival' blades and from early to near mid 19th c.

These are shown and discussed in the outstanding article by Oliver Pinchot ("The Persian Shamshir and the Signature of Assad Allah", Arms Collecting, Vol.40, #1, 2002. p.7).
The reason for adding this is primarily for perspective.

With the demand for Persian blades demanding a shift to commercialism toward end of 18th c. , the impetus for likelihood of the example shamshir in discussion having a much earlier blade, probably more to middle of 18th century or earlier, and it being watered steel more likely as well.

With Persian blades, during the 17th century regular steel was used in roughly half the blades, while the majority of patterned steel blades had increased by end of century. Into the 18th virtually all Persian blades had complex and impressive patterns in the steel. The Persian damask blades were highly prized in Arabia, thus it would seem likely this example's blade is quite likely of some sort of damask.

Finally, I found a compellingly similar example in "At Study of the Eastern Sword", (Kirill Rivkin & Brian Isaac, 2017, example 178b):

From this, it is referred to as a QUALITY PERSIAN SHAMSHIR LATE 18TH CENTURY, with WOOTZ blade. Note inscriptions in cross guard. The cartouches on blade are as emulated in the later 'commercial' Persian blades with Lion of God pictogram.


The pics:
Top is often regarded as a Bedouin shamshir, however these, with the commercial Persian blades may occur throughout Arab spheres. These 'trade' blades from c.1800-40s are found in swords from Caucasian shashka, to Indian tulwars and many others. Shown as perspective with Persian shamshirs from end of 18th c.
Next:
The comparative example of Persian shamshir we are looking at, which appears from mid to latter 18th century, with likely earlier blade likely of watered steel, pattern unknown, and as of notable quality probably of some distinguished owner in Zanzibar. The corrosion of course makes further identification of blade difficult if not virtually impossible unless through radiographic analysis.
The missing grip plates, which were likely ivory, are in my opinion absent due to being removed for the ivory itself, and the sword likely stolen, was discarded accordingly.

[Excalibur2025]

Thanks Jim, that seems plausible. The next question would be who it belonged to. As stated previously in the thread, the shamshir was used as the regalia for Omani-Zanzibari sultans and high-level dignitaries.

AFAIK nearly every sultan of Zanzibar is pictured bearing a shamshir in official portraits whether it's a painting or photograph.

Here are two photographs. One showing Sultan Khalifa with his son Abdullah and grandson Jamshid, who both went on to become sultans - in fact the last three sultans of Zanzibar. I assume the two standing at the back are junior members of the royal family - they hold kattaras.

The other photo shows three Omani-Zanzibaris with a British officer. The governor of Bagamoyo on the left and "Rumaliza" al-Barwani each hold a shamshir, but Tippu Tip (on the far right) has a kattara. Tippu Tip is reputed to be the second richest muslim slave trader in history, so I assume that means he was the richest in Zanzibar. However, he wasn't considered to be a pure Omani as his father was a swahili arab who had some African ancestry.

The Zanzibar shamshir was found in Mazizini which is near the coast and roughly half way between Stonetown and Chukwani (where the royal family had a palace) - roughly 5 km each way.

Apart from the occasional royal palace there wouldn't have been any major settlements outside of Stonetown before the 20th century. (Obviously there would be a few fishermen and farmers here and there but they would have simple dwellings).

As for stealing the sword for the ivory, again that seems plausible. They could just put the ivory in their pocket. However, it is quite sharp and not something that's easy to carry around. Plus why not just jump in a boat and take the whole sword to the mainland?

I wonder if there was a political motive for stealing the sword, and maybe the ivory was just a bonus?

Also, it seems reasonable to me that it would have been bad form for a non-Omani or a commoner to have a shamshir in Zanzibar as it was the official regalia of the Sultanate.

[Excalibur2025]

The other interesting question is: what happened to the royal shamshirs of the Sultans of Zanzibar - where are they?

[Excalibur2025]

First is the shamshir attributed to Saif bin Sultan in the National Museum of Oman, dated as 1675 by the museum. The Zanzibar shamshir has almost exactly the same style and measurements as this sword. The differences are:

* Width of the blade:
Oman shamshir: 3.5 cm; Zanzibar shamshir: about 3 cm.

* Cross guard:
The Oman shamshir has a floral Omani design but the Zanzibar sword has a Quranic inscription.

* Colour:
The steel on the blade of the Zanzibar shamshir seems darker, but that might be due to weathering.

Second is Al-Qadib, a sword attributed to the Prophet Muhammed. I just thought it's interesting because the length and width of the blade are almost exactly the same as the Zanzibar shamshir. The width of al-Qadib is 2.8 cm which was the initial measurement I had for the Zanzibar blade. I later thought this seemed too narrow and asked the owner to re-measure it and she said 3 cm. In any case, Al-Qadib is known as a defence and companionship sword, not to be used in battle. This made me wonder if the Zanzibar shamshir was a defence and ceremonial sword. (It's still an effective weapon though, it's quite heavy, solid and sharp).

[Excalibur2025]

Putting aside the question of their authenticity, I assume that the Persian master swordsmiths would have known the measurements of the swords attributed to the Prophet.

[Oliver Pinchot]

I doubt very much if most Persian smiths were even aware of any such thing, other than literary references to Dhul-Faqar.

[Excalibur2025]

Al-Qadib is nicknamed "The Rod" due to its narrow blade and described as a "defence and companionship sword" not to be used in battle.

Leaving aside the authenticity issue, I just thought that the concept of a "companionship sword" was an interesting one. As we can see from the 20th century photos, the Sultans carried their swords around when on official duties. The shamshir is a wedge shaped sword - it's a big chunk of steel and quite heavy.

The Sultans used the shamshir for ceremonial duties and did not need it to fight in an actual war - so hence the idea of a "companionship" sword which has a narrower blade and would have been a bit lighter. It's hard to tell from the photos with the Sultans' swords in their scabbards but some of them do seem narrow.

Below is the photo of Sultan Khalifa meeting Princess Margaret and carrying his shamshir around with him.

[Excalibur2025]

Here's a picture of the last indigenous king of Zanzibar (who reigned in the 15th century), with what appears to be a shamshir.

This could indicate that the shamshir was a badge of office for Zanzibari rulers, or a Victorian era (?) Orientalist illustrator retroactively inventing a tradition.

It is worth noting that indigenous Zanzibaris call themselves Shirazi and believe they are descended from Persians. There is not much left of this influence in the modern era except that a version of "Nowruz" - the Persian New Year - is celebrated on the south east tip of the island.

[Oliver Pinchot]

It seems you have exhausted this thread. Your reasoning vis a vis this illustration is nebulous. As you noted, it's Orientalist work, and not very good at that. It's clear it was done by an illustrator-- someone who has little or no knowledge of the material culture of Zanzibar, specifically not weapons-- what is the point of citing such a thing? Bart Simpson would be as accurate a reference on kings of Zanzibar.

Regarding your query, the sword in the image isn't a shamshir. It's a nimcha.

[Excalibur2025]

The picture of the Mwinyi Mkuu is actually here in Zanzibar. Most of the older people who knew about the history of Zanzibar have passed away and a lot of the archives were destroyed. So it's difficult to know what the picture was based on. Stonetown itself is a very small and compact town so there used to be people who knew the oral history of these things, including people who knew the royal family and life before the revolution. In fact, back in the 90s, in the house where the picture is there was a former servant who still lived in the mansion who was nearly a hundred years old, so had lived most of his life in Zanzibar when it was a Sultanate.

[Excalibur2025]

Sayyid Majid bin Saïd al-Busaidi: first Sultan of Zanzibar (when Oman and Zanzibar became separate realms). Shown with his ceremonial shamshir.

[Excalibur2025]

After a bit of research it appears that Rumaliza is the gentleman on the (viewer's) left in the photo posted above. He is the one wearing the lighter coloured robes.

I've found a larger copy of that photo online which shows the hilt of his shamshir. I've also found a photo of Rumaliza and Sayyid Sir Hamad bin Thuwaini Al-Busaid, both displaying their ceremonial shamshirs. Both photos had watermarks and were copyrighted so I decided not to post them. I have a few more historical photos (of sultans etc.) from here in my ancestral family mansion in Zanzibar which I may post at a later date.

[Excalibur2025]

Two photos of Sayyid Sir Khalifa II bin Harub Al-Busaidi, the ninth Sultan of Zanzibar (r. 9 December 1911– 9 October 1960), one presumably near the beginning of his reign and the second on his silver jubilee. Both of course show him holding his ceremonial shamshir.