Max Yataghan lenght?

[Valjhun]

Hi!

I was always wondering wich would be the maximum lenght for a ottoman yatagan. The biggest in my collection measures 79 cm, from the end of the ear to the blade tip. What about yours examples?

[Yannis]

The biggest I have seen was 90cm in scabbard

[Zifir]

How about the minimum length? In some Turkish chronicles I came across the term 'yatağan bıçağı' which literally means "yatagan knife." I am not really sure whether this term refers to 'proper' yatagans or a smaller type carried by people in daily life.

[Yannis]

It is the second case. Knifes for daily use with yataghan ears.

[Valjhun]

It is the second case. Knifes for daily use with yataghan ears.

Well, we're talking about the upper one I guess. Both made in Sarajevo around 1888. :)

[Zifir]

A very nice set you have. I have another question, can't stop asking..

Does anyone know when people stopped to produce yatagans? Maybe it is a little bit silly to ask this becuase this probably changes from region to region.

For example did they still produce yatagans in Istanbul in the late nineteenth century? The reason I am asking this that I have a sense that the yatagan production came to an abrupt end with the abolition of the Janissary Corps in 1826 since janissaries were probably the major consumers for this particular product. This is just a speculation of course.

[Valjhun]

Well, i can answer you anly for the balkans. The production was up to the twenties in montenegro for sure, ceremonial use till the WWII, I guess.

[Yannis]

A very nice set you have. I have another question, can't stop asking..

Does anyone know when people stopped to produce yatagans? Maybe it is a little bit silly to ask this becuase this probably changes from region to region.

For example did they still produce yatagans in Istanbul in the late nineteenth century? The reason I am asking this that I have a sense that the yatagan production came to an abrupt end with the abolition of the Janissary Corps in 1826 since janissaries were probably the major consumers for this particular product. This is just a speculation of course.

For sure there was production of yataghans till late 19th century in Turkey and Balkans. After that it is regional question. For example, there is still a production of Cretan knife that is a kind of yataghan knife.

[ham]

Merhaba Zifir,

One answer to two questions: the Karakulak knife is a smaller yatagan which was popular among stock breeders all over the Ottoman Empire, I have seen examples from 6" - 12" long inscribed with an early 20th century date in E. Greece and in Anatolia they remain in use in some areas today. It is more of a utility knife, not usually with a sheath and if it does have one, it will be roughly carved from pine or other soft wood. The grips, as the name indicates, are black horn, and earred.

Ham