I agree with Teodor 100%.
Pinpointing the exact origin of a particular yataghan is incredibly frustrating.
Often we refer to extraneous details, such as Teodor's leather wrapping, out of sheer desperation ( although in this case I would agree with him and put my cock on the same block:-)
I know of only few more or less reliable exceptions:
- Karabela-like handles usually suggest North Africa
- T-type handles are usually attributed to Asia Minor, more specifically to Zeibeks.
- Small-eared, silver handles with niello - usually said to be from Crete
- Integral bolster, pretty crude and sturdy blade - are almost certainly coming from Bulgaria ( karakulaks, more precisely)
-Round smooth corals - Foca ( as per Elgood)
- Finger indentations on the nandle - Balkans ( how wide across the area do you want to cast your net?)
- Large surfaces of plain unadorned silver - likely ( IMHO) Turkish manufacture.
- Precise inscription with an address and a zip code of the master may be helpful.
- Presence of Chinese hieroglyphs or a stamp " Made in India" might cast certain doubts re. Ottoman origin.
Did I miss anything even remotely reliable? Can anyone add to the list or correct my attributions?
All of them have enough " maybe-s" and "perhaps-s" than stray dogs have fleas. The State Tree of any "expert" is the Hedge:-) So, perhaps, more likely than not, I might be at least partially correct. Or so I hope........
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