It has been on my mind for quite a while now, that a sword mentioned by Goetz as being a sword belonging to Emperor Akbar and having a Malaysian hilt may not be a Malaysian but an Early Saif prototype hilt.
If the age is correct it is a revelation.
If the cartouche is later than Akbar’s life and not one of ownership but reverence, further study could lead to this hilt being Indo Arabian.
The image of the hilt shown here in post number 11 isn't real clear in detail but is of the form typically seen on the Arabian Saif in the image below.
The blade too is mentioned by BI in post number 15 as being a Sossun Pata.
Picture the hilt with a cross guard of Arabian form in place.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showt...highlight=goetz
The stamps to the blade I have seen on some Arabian arms (still looking for the images) and as was pointed out in the above thread the stamps are long used.
Ariel has pointed out in the below thread that some of these sabre blades were Causcausian, not doubt copied locally too I am sure, along with the marks. I am not suggesting the "Akbar" sword blade is Caucasian.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4137
As Jim has pointed out the Somali Billao pommel is of a similar ilk, likely a result of Somalia's Arabian influences over the centuries...however it is interesting to note the ivory hilted Billaos with the silver spires only seen to have the central minaret type silver pommel, no side extrusions.
Thoughts on the subject?
Are better images of the Akbar sword or sword hilt available anywhere?
Akbar hilt from the thread mentioned
Saif hilt from Artzi's collection.
Gavin