Ottoman Bichaq help

[Battara]

Caber and others, thank you for your posting examples of what you are discussing.

We are aware of the openness of the Ottoman empire and that there was a lot of influence and style mixing, like the use of coral gemstones all over the empire, from Algeria to Bosnia. Yet there are local influences. I guess I have never noticed those from Algeria......

[estcrh]

Here are a few examples of repeated characteristics that are supposedly associated with North African hilts and a quote from Artzi.

This rare form of Yataghan, with the lobed pommel is usually identified as North African, probably Algeria. In addition, most of these Yataghans will come with rhino horn hilt grips.

[Kubur]

Some people think that this type of Yataghan with small curved ears are from Algeria. To be honest I don't know why...
It's like the Pala without guard, they are supposed to be Algerians.
I just post one of my flyssa daggers, you see the design of the scabbard and the blade are Algerian, but the general look of the dagger is like a bichaq.
Check this one also
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=11699
Some people call these daggers flyssa others bichaq...
It is a complicated issue on this forum, should we use generic names or local names to define these objects????
For example, i think that an Omani sword is not a sayf but a kattara, despite all the discussions on this forum. Because when you say a kattara you know exactly where it comes from...

[Martin Lubojacky]

"Some people think that this type of Yataghan with small curved ears are from Algeria. To be honest I don't know why...
It's like the Pala without guard, they are supposed to be Algerians."

Dear Kubur,

I think this is becausoe of the fact, that you can find "predominantly" one (or a few major) type of fittings in the certain country (territory). E.g. if you are in Tunnisia, you will notice, that "local yathagans" ´handles are usually without ears and scabbards are often wholy brass plated with local motives engraved. On the opposite site I guess you can confirm, that T form of the termination of the handles of the (so called) "zeybeks" yathagans occures in central Anatolya very often (and you will not find it in Libya etc.) I am of the opinion that adornment used to be often done in the local place (e.g. including coftgari) despite the fact that thle blade style and/or trade mark occurs in much wider territoty. - So that´s why
Best
Martin

[Kubur]

Dear Martin,

I agree with the blades for knifes and swords.
It is also the case with the locks and barrels for pistols and long guns.
But I think that the grips for swords and daggers or the wooden stocks for guns are locals. Unlike the decorations or the scabbards as you said.

For North Africa, a good book for all:
Gold and Coral. Presentation arms from Algiers and Tunis

Best,
Kubur

[Battara]

Unfortunately this book does not show up on Amazon........

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by Battara

Unfortunately this book does not show up on Amazon........

Thanks to Kubur for mentioning this book, there is not enough discussion of the weapons from Algeria and surrounding regions.

https://thomasheneage.wordpress.com/...gier-to-tunis/

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by Kubur

Some people think that this type of Yataghan with small curved ears are from Algeria. To be honest I don't know why...
It's like the Pala without guard, they are supposed to be Algerians.

Any proof that the pala without guards are Algerian or is that just an accepted belief?

[Battara]

Estcrh, I think it would be a better idea to post your great question in it's own thread. This deserves it's own thread for others to chime in.......(I'd like to know myself - ).