Non european blade on Napoleonic saber

Jim McDougall · 18th August 2014, 05:33 PM

Excellent to move this to European as there the readers familiar with French and Russian as well as Napoleonic swords will have exposure to this intriguing example.
While the idea of this being possibly Ottoman is interesting, as far as I have known no 'pipeback' form exists on their blades, and this was an entirely European innovation. As I noted earlier the only instance of similar feature was the 'T' back in mostly Central Asian forms. As for the stepped back tip, usually a false edge, this reference to the Ottoman yelman actually does not directly apply, though again a 'similarity'.

I think the primary attraction to this having Eastern potential is of course the type of steel which clearly appears laminated. In that respect the presence of this example here is good as those well versed in metallurgy can respond to that aspect.

18th August 2014, 05:33 PM	#11
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,195	Excellent to move this to European as there the readers familiar with French and Russian as well as Napoleonic swords will have exposure to this intriguing example. While the idea of this being possibly Ottoman is interesting, as far as I have known no 'pipeback' form exists on their blades, and this was an entirely European innovation. As I noted earlier the only instance of similar feature was the 'T' back in mostly Central Asian forms. As for the stepped back tip, usually a false edge, this reference to the Ottoman yelman actually does not directly apply, though again a 'similarity'. I think the primary attraction to this having Eastern potential is of course the type of steel which clearly appears laminated. In that respect the presence of this example here is good as those well versed in metallurgy can respond to that aspect.