for the iron hilted saifs, I had doubts about one of the swords which had an Ethiopian blade. The patina and rust is even though, on the blade and the hilt and the owner commented that Ethiopian blades (I was surprised by his knowledge of the blades origin, where he spoke about an Armenian dealer importing it) were also used in Oman for a time longer than expected. Though I have also found many rehilts, including tulwar blades rehilted as kattaras but those are easy to tell apart.
I have also examined plenty of the new Omani stuff. A dancing sword with no silver sells from 8 riyals to 15 riyals. Which should be about 38 dollars. Its now sold online by a rather suspicious site for a wooping 1500$ dollars and offered as the authentic Omani arms.
Disgraceful, really.
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