Ottoman Kard with Repurposed Yataghan Turkish Ribbon Blade

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by mahratt

Perhaps these knives belonged to Turkmen (Turkomans), some tribes that live on the border with Turkey. It would be easy to explain the use of the Turkish blade.

http://www.ashokaarts.com/shop/large...damascus-blade

Looks like a match.

Large Turkmen or Uzbek kard dagger with wootz damascus blade
A large and heavy bladed Asian Dagger or knife of Persian 'Kard' type. The blade is of large proportions with a very thick spine which has a chiselled rib along it, the steel shows watering of a very fine wootz or 'damascus' type, the forte has chiselled flower decoration of persian style indicating that the blade was probably made in Iran. The hilt made from black horn and decorated with a large black of walrus ivory to the pommel, ivory and metal layering and inlaid studs contribute to a decorative appearance as often found on Persian, Asian and even Caucasian gunstocks. A most interesting dagger, retaining a leather sheath, age wear to areas of the blade and other parts. Early 19th century.

[eftihis]

There was in the past a discussion here in the forum about these daggers
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=12299

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by eftihis

There was in the past a discussion here in the forum about these daggers
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=12299

With all of these examples it seems that type must have come from a particular region.

[mahratt]

Originally Posted by estcrh

With all of these examples it seems that type must have come from a particular region.

Turkmens live in northern Afghanistan. But in Afghanistan these knives are not found... I was told that they come from the border areas of Turkey and Syria. There, too, there are Turkmens.

[estcrh]

All of the blades look to be from different sources.

[mahratt]

Originally Posted by estcrh

All of the blades look to be from different sources.

In my opinion this situation is indicative of the absence of developed forging Technology weapons. We can see something similar in Bukhara and Khiva Khanate of the 19th century, where most of the blades of shamshirs, daggers and knives were imported from Persia.

That is, in this case, in the absence of production of quality blades, for the manufacture of Turkmen kards, take any suitable blade, which fall into the hands of the master.

[ALEX]

Mahratt, I had similar thoughts (reply #11 above). You are right of course, there were 300,000 Turkmens living in Syria, most near Turkish border.
As we saw, these kards are often attributed to Persia, Turkmenistan or Afghanistan regions, with Turkmen tribal being closest fit. However, having no bolsters, the distinct blade mounting and Ottoman-like decorations, Syrian Turkmen origin is quite plausible. The metal rings and inlays on the handle are also reminiscent of another Syrian "Majdel Shams" hilts and shamshir hilts produced in Syria during Ottoman period.
Good discussion, thanks to all who responded!