Reference;
A.
http://auctionsimperial.com/om-the-...of-assad-allah/
B.
http://www.vikingsword.com/ethsword/shamshir/
C.
http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=21078
I thought I had seen this weapon before... at Reference C. however it is nice to see such an interesting blade again … The first time round I placed the detail below which hasn't changed much.. and again to echo the point that Jim has spoken about on the magic squares … and noted in Reference B.
A superb rendition on such weapons is at Reference A.
From the original sword thread on EAA two years ago~
Quote"With octagonal grips covered in black shagreen leather, steel pommel and guard of characteristic form. The blade Shamshir (lions tail), forged of wootz steel and inlaid at the forte, VICTORY FROM GOD AND CONQUEST NIGH, together with a baduh or magic square, and a polylobate cartouche containing the maker?s name, WORK OF ZAMAN ISFAHANI, a well-known smith said to have been a student of Assad Allah. Mid-18th century".Unquote.
There is further detail on another website by the world renowned Oliver Pinchot of Imperial Auctions and this Forum where the discussion as to true signatures including Zaman Isfahan exist and the variables concerning their authenticity... and indeed if there was a sword maker called assad - allah
Please also see~
http://auctionsimperial.com/om-the-...of-assad-allah/
Indeeed it would not be the first time that a spurious name appeared and went on for several centuries for example ANDREA FERRERA...and in its many spellings. It would be interesting to discover if Zaman Isfahan was simply an extension of the expertise of one such sword making school/workshop (Assad - Allah) so that the tradition of the name on a sword was simply extended in time.
In fact looking at
http://www.vikingsword.com/ethsword/shamshir/ this on Forum, by Lee Jones, whose detail indicates that the sword can be clearly compared. Note that the life span of the sword maker, Assad - Allah, would have needed to be in excess of 500 years !!
