A Likely Byzantine or Fatimid Sword of the Xth – XIth Centuries

[Iain]

Originally Posted by TVV

I only know of 2 such Bosnian swords - one in Hales book and one from the Furusiyya book. Both are late - 16th century. I suspect this hilt style may have been reintroduced by the Ottomans, especially after the majority of Bosnians converted to Islam. Skenderbeg's sword is also an Ottoman broadsword, though the hilt is not the cuff style, but it shows how the Ottoman conquest influenced arms and armor in the area.

The Furusiyya example is noted as 17th century but could be late 16th. There is another I am aware of that sold a few years ago and was discussed here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?p=160796

It appears the style was in vogue among troops used by Venice from the Balkans.