Is there a manual for yatagans?

[ErnestoJuan]

Originally Posted by Zifir

I was wondering if there is any existing manual for how to fence with a yatagan. This was a favorite weapon, used in a wide geographical area by Turks, Greeks, Bulgars etc. and I am just guessing there should be a manual written in one of these languages.

Hi Zifir, I have found this manual in the library of the Topkapi museum. Here is the translation:

Dear customer,

Congratulations with your new yataghan. We have put a lot of effort in making your yataghan experience the best one there is. Please read the operations manual below.

note:
- keep away from children.
-do not use item to comb your horse or camel.
- when storing the item for a long period, make sure that the blade is treated with camel fat.

Operations manual:

When encountering the enemy, quickly draw the sword. Cut of any limb to demobilise the enemy. Preferably, chop of the enemy's head to quickly end the ecounter. Remove any blood from the blade. Put sword back in the scabbard.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to send a horse courier to our main office in Izmir.

Sincerely,

Zurnazenbaşı İbrahim Ağa, marketing manager.

Ottoman Arms Inc. Since 500. Preferred suplier of the house of Osmanli.

[Zifir]

Originally Posted by ErnestoJuan

Hi Zifir, I have found this manual in the library of the Topkapi museum. Here is the translation:

Dear customer,

Congratulations with your new yataghan. We have put a lot of effort in making your yataghan experience the best one there is. Please read the operations manual below.

note:
- keep away from children.
-do not use item to comb your horse or camel.
- when storing the item for a long period, make sure that the blade is treated with camel fat.

Operations manual:

When encountering the enemy, quickly draw the sword. Cut of any limb to demobilise the enemy. Preferably, chop of the enemy's head to quickly end the ecounter. Remove any blood from the blade. Put sword back in the scabbard.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to send a horse courier to our main office in Izmir.

Sincerely,

Zurnazenbaşı İbrahim Ağa, marketing manager.

Ottoman Arms Inc. Since 500. Preferred suplier of the house of Osmanli.

Your orientalist imagination and creativity certainly deserves an applause....

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by ErnestoJuan

Hi Zifir, I have found this manual in the library of the Topkapi museum. Here is the translation:

Dear customer,

Congratulations with your new yataghan. We have put a lot of effort in making your yataghan experience the best one there is. Please read the operations manual below.

note:
- keep away from children.
-do not use item to comb your horse or camel.
- when storing the item for a long period, make sure that the blade is treated with camel fat.

Operations manual:

When encountering the enemy, quickly draw the sword. Cut of any limb to demobilise the enemy. Preferably, chop of the enemy's head to quickly end the ecounter. Remove any blood from the blade. Put sword back in the scabbard.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to send a horse courier to our main office in Izmir.

Sincerely,

Zurnazenbaşı İbrahim Ağa, marketing manager.

Ottoman Arms Inc. Since 500. Preferred suplier of the house of Osmanli.

Is this a joke? I'm genuinely curious? The use of "smilies" or "emoticons" often helps convey one's intent, particularly when communicating with such an imprecise medium as text, on an international discussion board.

Here are some examples:

Using one (or more of these) can avoid misunderstandings and hurt feelings. It can also make my life a bit easier because I can enjoy discussing and reading about edged weapons instead of moderating arguments between members and reading PMs and emails from upset people.

Thanks for your consideration.

[Andrew]

Not that I agree or disagree with the comments on geopolitical history, its just that those type observations often set discussions on a separate course.

(Sorry to do this to you, Jim. )


I agree. It is a rare discussion, indeed, that is made better by such comments. Further, as a whole, our forum and our experience here is so much richer and rewarding when we avoid this type of thing.

[ErnestoJuan]

Originally Posted by Andrew

Is this a joke? I'm genuinely curious? The use of "smilies" or "emoticons" often helps convey one's intent, particularly when communicating with such an imprecise medium as text, on an international discussion board.

Here are some examples:

Using one (or more of these) can avoid misunderstandings and hurt feelings. It can also make my life a bit easier because I can enjoy discussing and reading about edged weapons instead of moderating arguments between members and reading PMs and emails from upset people.

Thanks for your consideration.

Well, in fact; I really found this manual. No, of course not. It was meant as a joke. Apparently, one or some forum members were seriously upset by my writing. If so, I apologise. No harm intended.

Upset member(s): why did not you send me a PM instead of Andrew? I don't bite

EJ.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by ErnestoJuan

Well, in fact; I really found this manual. No, of course not. It was meant as a joke. Apparently, one or some forum members were seriously upset by my writing. If so, I apologise. No harm intended.

Upset member(s): why did not you send me a PM instead of Andrew? I don't bite

EJ.

Thanks, EJ.