North Afrika Sword ?

fernando · 14th October 2011, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

... I would imagine there is considerable material or examples out there which is not presented due to shy and timid lurkers who apparantly do not have friends among members who can boldly present thier weapons for them.
What a pity.

Jim McDougall · 14th October 2011, 05:51 PM

TVV · 14th October 2011, 05:54 PM

Jim,

I can only speak for myself, but when I post items of friends it is usually because those friends have asked me to do it. The reson they do not register and post themselves is because they speak little English and would have a hard time expressing themselves by using an on-line translator. It is the same reason I am not registered on any of the Russian language forums: while I can read Russian easily, I am not fluent in it and I'd rather have someone more proficient in this language post for me when I have a question on an item.

Sorry for the off topic, but I just wanted to provide a perspective on language barriers.

Back to the Omani sword: thank you chregu for posting this, it is a beautiful sword. I wonder what caused the repair at the tip?

Regards,
Teodor

fernando · 14th October 2011, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVV

... Sorry for the off topic, but I just wanted to provide a perspective on language barriers...

Perhaps you are missing the point, Teodor

.
The actual question being, helping a friend with language difficulties, is a legitimate, constructive and welcome behaviour

.

Jim McDougall · 15th October 2011, 12:07 AM

Thanks very much Teodor, and clearly I had forgotten about the language barrier. I am of course very grateful to see anything posted here as it gives us the opportunity to view and discuss many items which we might not otherwise see. I suppose my point of contention was the many lurking who simply do not participate even to ask questions, the bit about not knowing enough is not really a good reason to not ask questions.
To me its about quid pro quo, and I learn a lot from what is posted here so like to open what books I have to share what else I can.
Naturally, I commend you for helping those with language restrictions, and applaud those who write here with such barriers and boldly write using translators.

All the best,
Jim

chregu · 15th October 2011, 08:12 PM

hello together
I make no secret of who is the sword.
I was asked in a German forum for advice.
The sword belonged to his father. whether it was or not, I can not check!
I was asked to help, so I offered my help.
If more pictures are desired, the owner will let me get even more.
Thanks for your help.

Iain · 17th October 2011, 09:57 AM

Hi Chegru, thanks for clearing that up. :-)

I can't offer much more information, but you may find this thread good reading:
http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread...hlight=kattara

Some similar swords can be seen on the last two pages of that thread.

They are certainly an interesting type with fairly strong evidence that the basic design dates back into the early days of Islam. How to date each specific example is of course much harder as the type obviously remained popular for more than a few centuries. It would seem a longer type of kattara, based around European trade blades gradually replaced the short sword.
All the best,

Iain

14th October 2011, 05:51 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,282

14th October 2011, 05:54 PM	#3
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,664	Jim, I can only speak for myself, but when I post items of friends it is usually because those friends have asked me to do it. The reson they do not register and post themselves is because they speak little English and would have a hard time expressing themselves by using an on-line translator. It is the same reason I am not registered on any of the Russian language forums: while I can read Russian easily, I am not fluent in it and I'd rather have someone more proficient in this language post for me when I have a question on an item. Sorry for the off topic, but I just wanted to provide a perspective on language barriers. Back to the Omani sword: thank you chregu for posting this, it is a beautiful sword. I wonder what caused the repair at the tip? Regards, Teodor

15th October 2011, 12:07 AM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,282	Thanks very much Teodor, and clearly I had forgotten about the language barrier. I am of course very grateful to see anything posted here as it gives us the opportunity to view and discuss many items which we might not otherwise see. I suppose my point of contention was the many lurking who simply do not participate even to ask questions, the bit about not knowing enough is not really a good reason to not ask questions. To me its about quid pro quo, and I learn a lot from what is posted here so like to open what books I have to share what else I can. Naturally, I commend you for helping those with language restrictions, and applaud those who write here with such barriers and boldly write using translators. All the best, Jim

15th October 2011, 08:12 PM	#6
chregu Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: switzerland Posts: 298	hello together I make no secret of who is the sword. I was asked in a German forum for advice. The sword belonged to his father. whether it was or not, I can not check! I was asked to help, so I offered my help. If more pictures are desired, the owner will let me get even more. Thanks for your help.

17th October 2011, 09:57 AM	#7
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,717	Hi Chegru, thanks for clearing that up. :-) I can't offer much more information, but you may find this thread good reading: http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread...hlight=kattara Some similar swords can be seen on the last two pages of that thread. They are certainly an interesting type with fairly strong evidence that the basic design dates back into the early days of Islam. How to date each specific example is of course much harder as the type obviously remained popular for more than a few centuries. It would seem a longer type of kattara, based around European trade blades gradually replaced the short sword. All the best, Iain