A Saudia-Yemeni Sword.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by AhmedH

Salaam! Dear Ibrahim,

The hilt and the grooving style of these swords reveal their Arab origin. Do you have any idea which century do they date?

BTW, I'm new to the forum. My specialization is in Arab and non-Arab swords dating from 550 to 1300 CE. I must admit that -after reading some of your discussion threads- that you're quite informant in Omani, other Arab, North African, and East African swords.

Again, have you any idea which century do these swords return to?

Thanks a lot in advance.

Salaams AhmedH ~ Welcome to the Forum. I think I have a good grasp of Omani Swords whilst there are many others on Forum that have excellent knowledge of other Arab, North African, and East African swords etc..

On the subject of the swords you indicate they do pose a few questions as to their origin though I know they emanate from Ethiopia where it is likely they had hilts of Rhino which when sold to Yemeni souks were removed and put onto Jambia...The blades then got tooled up in backyard workshops (rather crudely) and were sold on...either to tourists in Sanaa (plus souks in Saudia) and onward consignments were purchased by Omani dealers from Salalah and Mutrah Souk (shop owners etc etc). Most blades are traceable to European manufacture mainly Germany which flooded Africa with blades in the 19th C. I have seen a variety of hilts including long Omani Sayf and Indian Tulvar hilts adorning these blades; mainly fixed by Souk owners in their own or local workshops. I put these generally in the late 19th C category and I know they were transferred to Oman this year...and as the Yemen situation continues to deteriorate I am certain we shall see more.

Thank you for your post.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[AhmedH]

Dear Ibrahim,

Salaams! Thank you very much for your reply. I found it quite informative. It's quite clear that the swords in this thread are not in my specialization. Being new to this site and discussion forum, I would like to participate in threads dealing with medieval swords and armor dating from 550 to 1300 CE. Though I must admit that I'm quite knowledgeable in arms and armor dating to other periods, I believe that one should stick to his own specialization.

I'm very indebted to your reply, sir. Thank you very much, once again.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by AhmedH

Dear Ibrahim,

Salaams! Thank you very much for your reply. I found it quite informative. It's quite clear that the swords in this thread are not in my specialization. Being new to this site and discussion forum, I would like to participate in threads dealing with medieval swords and armor dating from 550 to 1300 CE. Though I must admit that I'm quite knowledgeable in arms and armor dating to other periods, I believe that one should stick to his own specialization.

I'm very indebted to your reply, sir. Thank you very much, once again.

Salaams ... What I like about this forum is that the ink is free....so lets hear your ideas on the host of arms between the mid 6th and 14th Century.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[AhmedH]

Salaams!

Thank you very much for your generous and encouraging reply. Any information you wish to know about the swords and armor in the period between 550 to 1300 CE shall have my concern and my answers.

BTW, this is for true: Would you like to see the original Dhu'l-Faqar and its present whereabouts? Well, I believe I made its identification back in 2000-2001. There are other famous swords belonging to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his Companions (R.A.) that I was able to identify and study thoroughly.

If you wish me to speak about that, feel free and please start a new thread regarding that, and I'll be more than willing to write all the information that you want in that regards.

Thanks a lot in advance, sir.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by AhmedH

Salaams!

Thank you very much for your generous and encouraging reply. Any information you wish to know about the swords and armor in the period between 550 to 1300 CE shall have my concern and my answers.

BTW, this is for true: Would you like to see the original Dhu'l-Faqar and its present whereabouts? Well, I believe I made its identification back in 2000-2001. There are other famous swords belonging to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his Companions (R.A.) that I was able to identify and study thoroughly.

If you wish me to speak about that, feel free and please start a new thread regarding that, and I'll be more than willing to write all the information that you want in that regards.

Thanks a lot in advance, sir.

Salaams ... Go to the top of the list and see THREAD STARTER... hit the button and you can start your new thread.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[drac2k]

I have found your post fascinating and I will ask your forgiveness in advance for focusing on a trivial aspect ;that of a hole drilled in the tip of one of the swords in your pictures.
I have, with some frequency found holes drilled into tulwars and tuareg swords, usually in the middle.I have attributed this to imbeciles who couldn't figure any other way to hang a sword from a wall. I know this to be true in one case, when a man showed me his U.S. naval cutlass and he confessed upon questioning that he was in fact the culprit who drilled the sword.
Is there any other explanation for the holes in the swords, especially those of Middle Eastern or African origin ?
Regards,
David

[AhmedH]

Thanks a lot, Ibrahim! I'll do just that!

[spiral]

Your possibly right David!

See...

linky!

or when I pointed the same out many years ago...

another linky!

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by drac2k

I have found your post fascinating and I will ask your forgiveness in advance for focusing on a trivial aspect ;that of a hole drilled in the tip of one of the swords in your pictures.
I have, with some frequency found holes drilled into tulwars and tuareg swords, usually in the middle.I have attributed this to imbeciles who couldn't figure any other way to hang a sword from a wall. I know this to be true in one case, when a man showed me his U.S. naval cutlass and he confessed upon questioning that he was in fact the culprit who drilled the sword.
Is there any other explanation for the holes in the swords, especially those of Middle Eastern or African origin ?
Regards,
David

Salaams drac2k ~ Whilst I cannot speak for the hole you describe in the US Naval Cutlass .. Holes in " Middle Eastern, African, Persian and Indian" blades are interesting since they are normally filled with copper or brass ( occasionally gold) however, the precise reason for this is unclear. Other filled dots appear nearer the hilt and can be configured usually one or three. They may be talismanic or define a good blade or brave owner? Certainly one and three are good talismans. Swords at the Topkapi exhibit these dots.. and I recently placed a dotted Khanjar blade with two triple dots at the throat on http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...8&page=4&pp=30
Anyway, it is always nice to discover a blade with dots, though, perhaps the blade makers simply enhanced the blades worth by adding these.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.