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Old 25th October 2011, 05:12 PM   #20
Ibrahiim al Balooshi
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE
Posts: 4,408
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TVV
I was lucky enough to win this kattara on eBay about a month ago and it has finally arrived, which enables me to share pictures.
Scabbard and hilt are in poor shape, but at least they retain most of the original fittings and leather. As you can see the fittings are quite simple - no silver, nothing fancy.
Same can be said for the blade - it looks like a 19th century trade blade.
There are plenty of markings, identical on both sides - at the base of the blade there are gurda markings, with something in the middle - does anyone know what it is or what it attempts to represent? At the end of the fullers there is also a small cross. All the markings seem to have been added to the blade locally.
Do you think I am correct about this being a trade blade imported fro, Europe, or would you say this is a local blade?

I am very happy to have added this to my other kattara with a curved blade (most likely an imported shashka blade), and I appreciate everyone's comments.

Regards,
Teodor
Salaams, In reviewing your excellent post #1 I note that the hogs back marks as you indicate are local add ons. They appear done with a chissel and mallet rather than a stamp. Although I agree these are both Omani weapons a Kattara and a curved Sayf I only agree that perhaps the sayf is a European Blade. The straight is perhaps not. I cannot deduce if the straight is a hybrid or in line with what I am trying to prove ... an Omani (RAK) made blade.
I also recently discovered curved RAK Sayfs made for Oman !
Regards Ibrahiim.
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