Kattara for comments

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Michael Blalock

I have it on this new style kattara

Salaams Michael ~ please show if possible the full sword ~ Is this a Maroon مرن (flexible) sword...or stiff. Does it have a spatula end or point. Initially it looks like a blade strike made after manufacture... any other marks? Regards Ibrahiim
p.s. please note Jims sticky/classic thread? on European forum # 38 and 43 and 66 mainly outlining Peter Cull marks but I suspect the mark to your item is placed afterwards.

[Iain]

Thanks for posting Michael. The reason I'm interested in this mark is that I've previously commented on the intriguing superficial similarities between wide native made takouba blades and the old style Omani kattara.

I noticed these little cross marks on kattara the other day and was immediately reminded of an obscure, but possible mark on a takouba blade of mine. It might just be the most oddly shaped bit of pitting, but the similarities struck me.

I am probably shooting in the dark here and my "mark" could be nothing at all. But I like to dream a little sometimes!

Cheers,

Iain

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Iain

Thanks for posting Michael. The reason I'm interested in this mark is that I've previously commented on the intriguing superficial similarities between wide native made takouba blades and the old style Omani kattara.

I noticed these little cross marks on kattara the other day and was immediately reminded of an obscure, but possible mark on a takouba blade of mine. It might just be the most oddly shaped bit of pitting, but the similarities struck me.

I am probably shooting in the dark here and my "mark" could be nothing at all. But I like to dream a little sometimes!

Cheers,

Iain

Salaams Iain, Its a bit out of line centrally so I think its an accidental, possibly combat strike but interesting. Just looking at Islamic decorative style on rugs to compare with possible blade marks the cross is used extensively in rug making and appears to represent candle light.. as a welcoming sign. It occurs in Hachlu door hanging rugs and elsewhere on the silkroad. Ibrahiim al Balooshi.
ps These blades like the one at Michaels appear to be thick non flexible but I await a full photo..

[Michael Blalock]

Ibrahiim,
There are some photos on the following post.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4328

There is another symbol on the other side. I will try and post a better photo later. And yes blade is quite stiff but it is long, and sharp as a razor. The wire work on the hilt is amazing.

[Michael Blalock]

Attached are some close-ups of the three marks on this blade.
While taking these I realized that this is not a stiff blade.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Michael Blalock

Attached are some close-ups of the three marks on this blade.
While taking these I realized that this is not a stiff blade.

Salaams Michael,
Nice pictures thanks. I can see a series of marks at the throat below the cross which could indicate a date? Or they could be accidental.

When you say not stiff ... does the blade flex through 90 degrees easily or are we looking at a fairly rigid example as at # 1 ?

Are these orb and cross Peter Cull marks without the orb... or fake strikes? I mean "copied strikes" as fake is a bit steep. On the other hand are these cross strikes not simply part of a bigger insignia that didn't get completed such as the tower mark which does seem to have a similar tool mark in its foundations?

The tower mark looks familiar..There is a full tower mark at #84 and the cross marks look identical to the # 1. I wonder however, if in fact, the tower mark on your sword is a variation on the God is Great insignia as a representative piece of calligraphy(albeit with mallet and chisel)

Regards Ibrahiim

[Michael Blalock]

The marks on the last picture of the blade do look like remants of lettering to me but I can't make anything out. Maybe the guys at the FBI who can read filed off serial numbers could read it. I could try various spectrum of light.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Michael Blalock

Attached are some close-ups of the three marks on this blade.
While taking these I realized that this is not a stiff blade.

Salaams Michael Blalock ~ Please SEE #6 on Ricks "Maker Mark ID" upon which I have commented on that thread.

Compare the Algerian Gun breach mark to your blade mark. Translated it appears to say Amal...(Acccording to Dom) and it looks very like the mark on your sword... All the letters are there stacked in almost identical stylised form. Thus the lid appears to be popped on origin of your Sword Mark... Algeria !

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Note; I ask the question of the cross on the sword as being a short form of this mark.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams Michael Blalock ~ Please SEE #6 on Ricks "Maker Mark ID" upon which I have commented on that thread.

Compare the Algerian Gun breach mark to your blade mark. Translated it appears to say Amal...(Acccording to Dom) and it looks very like the mark on your sword... All the letters are there stacked in almost identical stylised form. Thus the lid appears to be popped on origin of your Sword Mark... Algeria !

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Note; I ask the question of the cross on the sword as being a short form of this mark.

Salaams Michael Blalock ~ I continue to work in the background upon this thread and noted that you had as yet not replied to the above which appears to solve the question pointing to Algeria as a probable stamp for both sword and gun marks; in a short, stacked form of arabic script. This is not to say that other countries did not use the same stamp format. It is however an indicator. I have not seen that "specific stamp" on Omani work. What this suggests is that your sword traversed the Red Sea and became formatted with a broad Omani Style but that its origins are elsewhere.
As a side issue I wonder if the very short form of this stamp is in fact a very simple cross placed by the owner rather than the maker?

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.