"Eastern" sword: need opinions

Jim McDougall · 24th March 2007, 01:58 AM

This is most definitely not a Persian shamshir, and it probably does have some age, to possibly the end of the 19th c. It appears to be a rather crudely furbished version of the Ottoman hilts which came to the attention of European powers during the Egyptian campaigns via the Mamluks. Great Britain and France were intrigued by these sabres, and this parabolic blade seems to be a blade inspired by these military versions, and decorated with an assortment of varying markings from European trade blades. The floral motif, the 'Turks head' and of course the faced crescent moon are all from varying examples. The unusual parallellogram cartouche encloses somewhat familiar symbols, some seeming almost cabalistic, and it would be interesting to know what is intended here.

In the Middle East around the turn of the century, there were industrious producers of examples of these fashionable early European sabres much favored by officers, and probably brought home by the growing numbers of travellers touring these regions. This was of course only one of the many regions producing such pieces, so as an interpretative example of a weapon, it would be difficult to say exactly where it might have been made.

Best regards,
Jim

24th March 2007, 01:58 AM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	This is most definitely not a Persian shamshir, and it probably does have some age, to possibly the end of the 19th c. It appears to be a rather crudely furbished version of the Ottoman hilts which came to the attention of European powers during the Egyptian campaigns via the Mamluks. Great Britain and France were intrigued by these sabres, and this parabolic blade seems to be a blade inspired by these military versions, and decorated with an assortment of varying markings from European trade blades. The floral motif, the 'Turks head' and of course the faced crescent moon are all from varying examples. The unusual parallellogram cartouche encloses somewhat familiar symbols, some seeming almost cabalistic, and it would be interesting to know what is intended here. In the Middle East around the turn of the century, there were industrious producers of examples of these fashionable early European sabres much favored by officers, and probably brought home by the growing numbers of travellers touring these regions. This was of course only one of the many regions producing such pieces, so as an interpretative example of a weapon, it would be difficult to say exactly where it might have been made. Best regards, Jim