Oriental weapons from the Hermitage exposition

[arsendaday]

Originally Posted by ALEX

Mercenary, thank you for sharing these pictures! Truly awesome!

Arsen, these split swords are rare, but there're quite a few. They are ceremonial swords, as you can see in THIS example. I handled another one, a Qajar split blade made of laddered wootz, with one half broken, and it is amazing how they forged two halves running almost parallel to each other.
Hopefully Richard Furrer will comment on such a feast.

Hi Alex, I thought it was a ceremonial sword, but I think with some training one will be able to cut through stuff (or a neck ), especially if you are the Sultan and the neck is not resisting. But otherwise, really good craftsmanship just to prove a point, i.e. that Ali's Sword was double-bladed. I am too waiting for more comments about this type of blades.

[ALEX]

Arsen, you may read more about Dhu'l-Fakar HERE

[Roland_M]

Originally Posted by arsendaday

Ali's Sword was double-bladed. I am too waiting for more comments about this type of blades.

Ali's Sword was not double bladed, it was a straight double edged sword, very sharp and probably quite heavy.

Dhu'l-Fakar was the best sword belonging to Muhammad (Peace be upon him), so it was never a double bladed sword, because these type of sword is very unsuitable for a battle. Double bladed swords are always ceremonial swords.

[fernando]

Beautiful pictures of luxury weapons.
Thanks for sharing.

[kahnjar1]

Thank you for these. A truly amazing display of weapons an related items.
Stu

[CharlesS]

These are amazing pics! Thanks so much for sharing them with us!

[digenis]

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing.

[estcrh]

Thanks for the fantastic images. Does anyone know if these were diplomatic gifts between governments?