Twistcore Kindjal for comments.

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by ispn

Well I don't collect them and know almost nothing about them, but for what it's worth...

I find the form of yours very interesting. Maybe it's just me, but the precision of the fullers and execution of the blade seems almost mechanical to me. I don't mean that it is! Just that's the visual response it evokes for me. Not a negative thing at all, I very much like how clean the lines are.

The second thing I wanted to note, is how the fullers form the outline of a blade within the blade. By which I mean the outline of the blade is echoed by the fuller configuration. It's very attractive, in fact on your third picture from the top, I had a double take and was caught out wondering why the blade was surrounded by steel!

The hilt construction is also interesting. From the photos it appears that the slabs are held in place by pins that are also horn? I also wanted to ask if the raised little rib on the grip is integral to the horn slabs or a separate piece? If separate how is it attached?

A beautiful weapon. Many thanks for allowing even people like myself, with no knowledge about them, the chance to learn, even if just from the pictures alone.

Best,

Iain

Hi Iain,

Thanks for your kind words
I guess because of my way of collecting, I tend to only research weapons that I own an example of. That means that aside from a very basic knowledge of these, I know very little about their detail, because I've never actually owned one.
I've seen etched patterns in fullers on these blades before, and quite a few plain examples, but this has been the first I've seen offered that had a price that seemed reflective of its quality, and was nice enough to tempt me, because of its twisted star pattern to lay out what eventually amounted to 40 hours wages!!
the hilt studs and central 'boss' are iron. They are just well patinated.
I see what you mean about the shape of the fullers |Thanks for poiinting it out.

best
Gene

[Tatyana Dianova]

Gene, it is really outstanding and rare Kindjal blade, congratulations!
I am by no way a kindjal specialist, but I am with TVV on his Turkish (South? Transcaucasian?) attribution. It is definitely not Kindjal from the North Caucasus, i.e. Dagestan or Chechnya. I will be back at home on Sunday and will try to find some clues in my books. I hope some Kindjal specialists will share their knowledge with us until then (by the way, where is Ariel's comment ?)

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by Tatyana Dianova

Gene, it is really outstanding and rare Kindjal blade, congratulations!
I am by no way a kindjal specialist, but I am with TVV on his Turkish (South? Transcaucasian?) attribution. It is definitely not Kindjal from the North Caucasus, i.e. Dagestan or Chechnya. I will be back at home on Sunday and will try to find some clues in my books. I hope some Kindjal specialists will share their knowledge with us until then (by the way, where is Ariel's comment ?)

Thank you so much Tatyana for your kind words and help so far. I would very much appreciate any further thoughts you might have.
I'm very relieved to hear that you think I've got a good blade

Best
Gene

[ariel]

I agree: Turkish. In support of this are the scabbard cover and decorations; slender hilt; tall pommel; tall and narrow "buttons".
I do not think I saw many ( if any:-)) kindjals with twisted damscus, must be quite rare.
As to the " Empire bring-back", I have only one word: Gallipoli :-)
And, of course, continuous presence of British arm forces after the end of WWII, and Allenby's march across the Ottoman-controlled Palestine. Many occasions to get a nice trophy to hang on the wall in Goode Olde Englande :-)

Overall, very nice, good workmanship of the blade, but the ottomans, just like the Syrians, never mastered the artistic beauty of Kubachi.

[l'audois]

i find the blade particulary beautiful and certainly not usual
congratulations

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by l'audois

i find the blade particulary beautiful and certainly not usual
congratulations

Thank you I am very pleased with it. I've just finished cleaning the gunk off of the blade and there is a nice steel edge showing. I'll add pictures tomorrow when I can take them in daylight.
Best
gene

[Yannis]

IMO The sword (blade and hilt) is Caucasian. I have seen few twisted cores. I cannot understand from the photos if it is real twisted or etched. Only a close look can possibly tell.

But the scabbard is not from Caucasus. It could be from anywhere southern. Like Bulgaria, North Greece, Turkey or Syria.

IMO the scabbard is later addition on a fine kidjal.

I hope this helps.

BTW, I am glad to be here again after long time

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by ariel

I agree: Turkish. In support of this are the scabbard cover and decorations; slender hilt; tall pommel; tall and narrow "buttons".
I do not think I saw many ( if any:-)) kindjals with twisted damscus, must be quite rare.
As to the " Empire bring-back", I have only one word: Gallipoli :-)
And, of course, continuous presence of British arm forces after the end of WWII, and Allenby's march across the Ottoman-controlled Palestine. Many occasions to get a nice trophy to hang on the wall in Goode Olde Englande :-)

Overall, very nice, good workmanship of the blade, but the ottomans, just like the Syrians, never mastered the artistic beauty of Kubachi.

Same here Ariel (And thank you for coming into this discussion) i have heard of them but never held one.
Were the Ottoman forces carrying this sort of thing in WW1 then?
Gallipoli was a bloody awful affair for all concerned.

[ariel]

I do not think for a second that it was a regulation weapon, but who knows what kind of sharpie-pointies people might have taken with them to war? And, of course, civilians in Palestine or Turkey proper had them in spades. I am sure there were many opportunities to acquire it either before or after WWI. Unfortunately, weapons do not talk......

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by ariel

Unfortunately, weapons do not talk......

Thanks mate, if it did come from Gallipoli it might be a blessing that it can't talk