Visiting Istanbu

Martin Lubojacky · 11th October 2013, 12:56 PM

Hi,
Sancar, why not to buy in Grand Bazar ? Because of high prices, or are there also another reasons ?
I am of the opinon there are some very interesting pieces, and at the same time very expensive ones, in Grand Bazar.Turkey is big (80 millions inhabitants ?) and rich country - I mean there is a lot of relatively rich private collectors and the competition, i.e. prices are high. Some of the local dealers used to buy at intl auctions like e.g. Herman Historica and they sell this staff (already relatively rare kilijs) in Turkey after than. I think it is cheaper (except of more ordinary yathagans) to buy Ottoman weapons in the central Europe, nowadays ...

Sancar · 12th October 2013, 01:15 AM

Arms and armour you may find in antique stores of Grand Bazaar are highly overpriced; and often their authenticity are very questionable. I saw many replicas tried to be sold as original pieces, and many ordinary quality19-20th century pieces tried to be presented as much older. Sometimes they clean theand make horrible restorations to sell less than average quality blades as 16th century "palace pieces"that were owned by sultan or pashas.
Store clerks are either lie about origin and date of weapons or very ignorant.

I agree that Turkey is not the ideal place to buy Ottoman weaponry. European market is much cheaper and of better quality.

11th October 2013, 12:56 PM	#1
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	Hi, Sancar, why not to buy in Grand Bazar ? Because of high prices, or are there also another reasons ? I am of the opinon there are some very interesting pieces, and at the same time very expensive ones, in Grand Bazar.Turkey is big (80 millions inhabitants ?) and rich country - I mean there is a lot of relatively rich private collectors and the competition, i.e. prices are high. Some of the local dealers used to buy at intl auctions like e.g. Herman Historica and they sell this staff (already relatively rare kilijs) in Turkey after than. I think it is cheaper (except of more ordinary yathagans) to buy Ottoman weapons in the central Europe, nowadays ...

12th October 2013, 01:15 AM	#2
Sancar Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 79	Arms and armour you may find in antique stores of Grand Bazaar are highly overpriced; and often their authenticity are very questionable. I saw many replicas tried to be sold as original pieces, and many ordinary quality19-20th century pieces tried to be presented as much older. Sometimes they clean theand make horrible restorations to sell less than average quality blades as 16th century "palace pieces"that were owned by sultan or pashas. Store clerks are either lie about origin and date of weapons or very ignorant. I agree that Turkey is not the ideal place to buy Ottoman weaponry. European market is much cheaper and of better quality.