Shamshir for comment

AJ1356 · 20th December 2011, 01:38 AM

DOM,
Thanks for the Idea, upon closer inspection the cover infact is what you call shagreen, and not regular leather as I first thought. Which brings to mind, where the hell did they get that here? my mind is not coming up with any place in central asia/middle east that would have stingrays. It was glued on originally and not sewn which to me is a bit wierd since I see all leathers to be sewn on the sheets. If I re-do it I'll change the quilion as well to something nicer as well as the pommel piece, and maybe the handle in something exotic. but for now I am thinking of keeping it original.
Edit: Upon further reading I see that shagreen was made of leather from horse's behind as well... so that explains a lot as well.

kahnjar1 · 20th December 2011, 01:50 AM

KEEP IT ORIGINAL IMHO..................This sword has history!!

ALEX · 20th December 2011, 08:15 AM

Totally agree with Stu. Keep it as-is. It is complete with all matching parts. not a good idea to "break it" trying to enhance the look. it's an average shamsheer, not much can be done to make it special or attractive without risking ruining its integrity.
Also, what makes you think it's shagreen????? the "bubbles"? old leather is often like this. does not mean it is shagreen.

AJ1356 · 20th December 2011, 11:58 AM

Yeah I was not planning to do anything to it, it was an idea, but once I thought about it not a great one. This is a fighing shamshir, the pretty ones are known as hunting swords ( shamshir e shekaari). This is very well made blade, I have seen lots and lots of blades around here and nothing like this. The quality and feel/weight of this blade is the same as some really nice Japanese foot soldier katanas I had handled when I was in Japan. As far as thinking that the covering is shagreen, the Turks used that on thier fighting swords as well, obviously not stingrey hide, but shagreen made of horse or donkey ass hide to give more grip. But then again it could be leather as I originally stated

20th December 2011, 01:38 AM	#1
AJ1356 Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Nashville Posts: 317	DOM, Thanks for the Idea, upon closer inspection the cover infact is what you call shagreen, and not regular leather as I first thought. Which brings to mind, where the hell did they get that here? my mind is not coming up with any place in central asia/middle east that would have stingrays. It was glued on originally and not sewn which to me is a bit wierd since I see all leathers to be sewn on the sheets. If I re-do it I'll change the quilion as well to something nicer as well as the pommel piece, and maybe the handle in something exotic. but for now I am thinking of keeping it original. Edit: Upon further reading I see that shagreen was made of leather from horse's behind as well... so that explains a lot as well.

20th December 2011, 01:50 AM	#2
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,786	KEEP IT ORIGINAL IMHO..................This sword has history!!

20th December 2011, 08:15 AM	#3
ALEX Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 936	Totally agree with Stu. Keep it as-is. It is complete with all matching parts. not a good idea to "break it" trying to enhance the look. it's an average shamsheer, not much can be done to make it special or attractive without risking ruining its integrity. Also, what makes you think it's shagreen????? the "bubbles"? old leather is often like this. does not mean it is shagreen.

20th December 2011, 11:58 AM	#4
AJ1356 Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Nashville Posts: 317	Yeah I was not planning to do anything to it, it was an idea, but once I thought about it not a great one. This is a fighing shamshir, the pretty ones are known as hunting swords ( shamshir e shekaari). This is very well made blade, I have seen lots and lots of blades around here and nothing like this. The quality and feel/weight of this blade is the same as some really nice Japanese foot soldier katanas I had handled when I was in Japan. As far as thinking that the covering is shagreen, the Turks used that on thier fighting swords as well, obviously not stingrey hide, but shagreen made of horse or donkey ass hide to give more grip. But then again it could be leather as I originally stated