yatagan hilt and scabbard, opinion welcomed

Gonzoadler · 15th April 2021, 08:13 PM

Hello,

the mountings of the scabbard looking old to me and the decoration on the back of the hilt, too.
The velvet is new, I agree.
With your pictures I can't say if the the handle shells are new,
could be.
Nevertheless a nice Yatagan.

Regards
Robin

ariel · 16th April 2021, 07:46 AM

Based exclusively on the pics I think you worry too much: low grade silver is common on Turkish and Balkan yataghans. The velvet is likely to be new or a later replacement. Wooden cheeks are most likely replacements during the active life of this yataghan. Originally, I guess, they were either horn or walrus ivory, but these materials are very fragile and it is not unusual to see cracks in the middle, broken off ears etc. The wood looks worn, with kisses of time and heavily patinated.
I think this might be an old fighter. Gosh, I know quite a lot of 40-60 year old women with more pearly white full teeth implants, tightened skin and silicone-injected lips!
I might be wrong, but for changing my opinion I would have to hold it in my hands.
Look at the wooden inserts of the scabbard: they may tell you more.

David R · 16th April 2021, 12:53 PM

It looks perfectly righteous to me, and a damn sight better workmanship than you often see. The grips could still be horn, when it gets old and worn it has a tendency to delaminate and look like dark wood.
As for low grade silver. Ottoman "silver" coins could be as low as 22% in silver content, and they are probably the source for most so called silverwork.
Velvet cover, try and peek underneath, there might be some nice leather-work there, there was with one of mine.

francantolin · 16th April 2021, 09:15 PM

Hello,
Thank you all for your comments !
I will try to remove the mounts and velvet and see how the wood parts looks like ,
I'll post a picture.

Kind regards !!

Kubur · 16th April 2021, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by francantolin

Hello,
Thank you all for your comments !
I will try to remove the mounts and velvet and see how the wood parts looks like ,
I'll post a picture.

Kind regards !!

NOOOO my friend
the mounts are excellent, original and Ottoman
don't do that
and for the velvet please send us more photos
first rule on this forum dont trust people
including myself
and this rule applies in real life too

ariel · 17th April 2021, 04:59 AM

Do not remove anything, just look at the wooden inserts at the opening of the scabbard. The original ones will be paper thin and darkened. Thick, solid and white would indicate contemporary replacement. The same with the velvet covering: if there is an opening, gently peek in. If not, leave it alone: coverings were replaced repeatedly during the working life .
David is 100% correct: the cheeks might be of horn, but you will see it right away.
I hate polishing and removing patina from the blade, after all, the baby earned it. My only exceptions would be suspicion of the “ turkish ribbon” ( rare) or wootz( even more so).
Very nice one!

francantolin · 4th May 2021, 06:25 PM

Hello,
I finally received it !
A long way from home but hopefully it's okay !

I'll post some pictures:

first the blade inscriptions and the back of the blade ,
I can read a date but maybe I'm wrong: 1143 hegiria lower left in the cartouche

Glad if someone can translate a little ( maybe a verse-sourate on the other side)

4th May 2021, 06:25 PM	#7
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 905	Hello, I finally received it ! A long way from home but hopefully it's okay ! I'll post some pictures: first the blade inscriptions and the back of the blade , I can read a date but maybe I'm wrong: 1143 hegiria lower left in the cartouche Glad if someone can translate a little ( maybe a verse-sourate on the other side) Attached Images

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15th April 2021, 08:13 PM	#1
Gonzoadler Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Germany Posts: 255	Hello, the mountings of the scabbard looking old to me and the decoration on the back of the hilt, too. The velvet is new, I agree. With your pictures I can't say if the the handle shells are new, could be. Nevertheless a nice Yatagan. Regards Robin

16th April 2021, 07:46 AM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Based exclusively on the pics I think you worry too much: low grade silver is common on Turkish and Balkan yataghans. The velvet is likely to be new or a later replacement. Wooden cheeks are most likely replacements during the active life of this yataghan. Originally, I guess, they were either horn or walrus ivory, but these materials are very fragile and it is not unusual to see cracks in the middle, broken off ears etc. The wood looks worn, with kisses of time and heavily patinated. I think this might be an old fighter. Gosh, I know quite a lot of 40-60 year old women with more pearly white full teeth implants, tightened skin and silicone-injected lips! I might be wrong, but for changing my opinion I would have to hold it in my hands. Look at the wooden inserts of the scabbard: they may tell you more.

16th April 2021, 12:53 PM	#3
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,120	It looks perfectly righteous to me, and a damn sight better workmanship than you often see. The grips could still be horn, when it gets old and worn it has a tendency to delaminate and look like dark wood. As for low grade silver. Ottoman "silver" coins could be as low as 22% in silver content, and they are probably the source for most so called silverwork. Velvet cover, try and peek underneath, there might be some nice leather-work there, there was with one of mine.

16th April 2021, 09:15 PM	#4
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 905	Hello, Thank you all for your comments ! I will try to remove the mounts and velvet and see how the wood parts looks like , I'll post a picture. Kind regards !!

17th April 2021, 04:59 AM	#6
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Do not remove anything, just look at the wooden inserts at the opening of the scabbard. The original ones will be paper thin and darkened. Thick, solid and white would indicate contemporary replacement. The same with the velvet covering: if there is an opening, gently peek in. If not, leave it alone: coverings were replaced repeatedly during the working life . David is 100% correct: the cheeks might be of horn, but you will see it right away. I hate polishing and removing patina from the blade, after all, the baby earned it. My only exceptions would be suspicion of the “ turkish ribbon” ( rare) or wootz( even more so). Very nice one!