Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

ariel · 31st July 2021, 02:18 AM

I recall some Greek yataghans with thin ears. Masters tried to skimp on walrus ivory and used halves of longitudinally cut walrus tusks ( primary dentin by the tang, a layer of the secondary one comprising the ear) rather than the whole one ( primary-secondary- primary). The result was very fragile ears , often with losses, but the intact ones were superbly elegant, like this one.
Agree with Teodor on the origin.
Very, very nice one and likely, more decorative than fighting : no signs of active field usage.

31st July 2021, 02:18 AM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I recall some Greek yataghans with thin ears. Masters tried to skimp on walrus ivory and used halves of longitudinally cut walrus tusks ( primary dentin by the tang, a layer of the secondary one comprising the ear) rather than the whole one ( primary-secondary- primary). The result was very fragile ears , often with losses, but the intact ones were superbly elegant, like this one. Agree with Teodor on the origin. Very, very nice one and likely, more decorative than fighting : no signs of active field usage.