Use of swords in American Indian tribes

[Lee]

I have always liked the photos presented in Peter Bleed, “ Indians and Japanese Swords on the North Plains Frontier, ” Nebraska History 68 (1987): 112 - 115

[thinreadline]

Very interesting post . From contemporary illustrations it seems common for native Americans to adopt 'trophy' clothing from killed or captured westerners so it seems logical that status weapons such as swords would also have been taken .. so where are the pictures depicting suchlike ? I shall trawl through my books !

[Oliver Pinchot]

Well observed, Jim.
Not only is the hilt of the sword the chief is wearing identifiable; the entire sword is clearly Ottoman work of the latter 17th century, right down to the belt.
Pity more period portraits aren't as well-drawn and detailed as this one.

Ottoman weapons weren't common but they were known (and sought after) in W. Europe. Plenty of W. Europeans traded with or fought the Ottomans in Eastern Europe, notably Captain John Smith (1580-1631) of Jamestown (and Pocahontas) fame.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams All ~ It is amazing to see the Ottoman sword on the Warrior Chief...Please see http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5640 for examples of this weapon of Othmanli fame.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Lee

I have always liked the photos presented in Peter Bleed, “ Indians and Japanese Swords on the North Plains Frontier, ” Nebraska History 68 (1987): 112 - 115

Lee, thank you so much for this linked article, which in seeing it is exactly the one I was thinking of, and it was Peter Bleed that I was talking with as we discussed the circumstances of these swords being with American Indians some years back.