Wootz Shamshir for Comments

Ferguson · 24th March 2012, 12:16 AM

Very nice piece. Congratulations! I hope you don't mind that I lightened one of the pictures a bit. Beautiful. Just beautiful.

Steve

A.alnakkas · 24th March 2012, 12:49 AM

Thanks all,

Feel free to improve pictures, Ferguson!

A.alnakkas · 24th March 2012, 12:51 AM

So, do you think the hilt is missing a pommel cap?

A.alnakkas · 24th March 2012, 01:03 AM

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=12888

This shamshir is owned by Gene (Atlantia) and I think its the same maker. The inscription is identical to mine, atleast whats written inside.

Dom · 24th March 2012, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A.alnakkas

So, do you think the hilt is missing a pommel cap?

at last beautiful pic's, for a really beatiful Shamshir, THANKS Lotfi

at your question, my answer will be "no", coze,
no mark at all reminded that something was fit into each other

à +

Dom

RSWORD · 24th March 2012, 01:52 PM

You have a very nice and fairly early wootz blade with a beautiful pattern. The yelman and long, almost spear-like point indicate an earlier blade. In my opinion, this blade could be 17th or 18th century. The blade profile seems to be wider at the hilt with good taper and if the blade has good heft/weight these would be other indications of an earlier blade. Of course, with the yelman, I would refer to this blade as a kilij. It is an earlier kilij form. I wouldn't worry about whether or not the grip slabs are original or not as the blade is the real treasure.

A.alnakkas · 24th March 2012, 02:12 PM

Hey RSWORD, thanks!

Yes the blade is rather thick and has some good weight to it. Its very interesting that it could be that old. Is it common for such blades to have hardened edge?

I wont be touching the hilt slabs then as I think the repair is an old one. But considering that Kuwait has lots of dust storms.. I may make a scabbard just for protection.

RSWORD · 25th March 2012, 02:11 AM

Yes, you do find shamshir and kilij blades that were heat treated. When a blade is in new polish, this will often show up as a darker zone along the cutting edge, analogous to a hamon.

ALEX · 26th March 2012, 11:40 AM

I also like the blade and wootz pattern.
I agree with RSWORD that it's an earlier blade. My only comment is that I do not see it as "earliy kilij form", if by "early" one meant pre-18th Century.
To me, this particular "yelman" looks more like a false edge, which could have been added/filed later. The "early" blades with yelmans of that form appear around 16th C, and this one does not look that old

I'd not call both swords A.alnakkas shows as Kilijes.

A.alnakkas · 26th March 2012, 01:21 PM

hey Alex,

excellent input. I have nothing more to add except that the shamshir's false edge is likely to be as early as the blade. The heat treatment also covers the false edge but could the heat treatment be done at a later time?

Lotfy

24th March 2012, 12:16 AM	#1
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Very nice piece. Congratulations! I hope you don't mind that I lightened one of the pictures a bit. Beautiful. Just beautiful. Steve Attached Images

24th March 2012, 12:49 AM	#2
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	Thanks all, Feel free to improve pictures, Ferguson! Attached Images

24th March 2012, 12:51 AM	#3
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	So, do you think the hilt is missing a pommel cap? Attached Images

24th March 2012, 01:03 AM	#4
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=12888 This shamshir is owned by Gene (Atlantia) and I think its the same maker. The inscription is identical to mine, atleast whats written inside. Attached Images

24th March 2012, 01:52 PM	#6
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,086	You have a very nice and fairly early wootz blade with a beautiful pattern. The yelman and long, almost spear-like point indicate an earlier blade. In my opinion, this blade could be 17th or 18th century. The blade profile seems to be wider at the hilt with good taper and if the blade has good heft/weight these would be other indications of an earlier blade. Of course, with the yelman, I would refer to this blade as a kilij. It is an earlier kilij form. I wouldn't worry about whether or not the grip slabs are original or not as the blade is the real treasure.

24th March 2012, 02:12 PM	#7
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	Hey RSWORD, thanks! Yes the blade is rather thick and has some good weight to it. Its very interesting that it could be that old. Is it common for such blades to have hardened edge? I wont be touching the hilt slabs then as I think the repair is an old one. But considering that Kuwait has lots of dust storms.. I may make a scabbard just for protection.

25th March 2012, 02:11 AM	#8
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,086	Yes, you do find shamshir and kilij blades that were heat treated. When a blade is in new polish, this will often show up as a darker zone along the cutting edge, analogous to a hamon.

26th March 2012, 11:40 AM	#9
ALEX Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 936	I also like the blade and wootz pattern. I agree with RSWORD that it's an earlier blade. My only comment is that I do not see it as "earliy kilij form", if by "early" one meant pre-18th Century. To me, this particular "yelman" looks more like a false edge, which could have been added/filed later. The "early" blades with yelmans of that form appear around 16th C, and this one does not look that old I'd not call both swords A.alnakkas shows as Kilijes.

26th March 2012, 01:21 PM	#10
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	hey Alex, excellent input. I have nothing more to add except that the shamshir's false edge is likely to be as early as the blade. The heat treatment also covers the false edge but could the heat treatment be done at a later time? Lotfy