Very Old Arabian Saif

katana · 29th May 2006, 07:52 PM

I was not suggesting the sword is of great age, just offering the possibility that, because trade increased with Japan after the opening of the Suez, that even 120 years ago it could be possible that a Japanese blade could have ended up in the middle east. Not necessarily as a 'trade' blade either, (as Tim pointed out, why are there not more?) Perhaps (as I was thinking) a trophy, gift or personal purchase by a trader/crew member etc later sold on .......who knows...this is after all ...just speculation

Obviously as time progressed through the 20th C the probability (of a Japanese blade in the Middle East) increases dramatically. (the World Wars, commercial airlines etc etc)

29th May 2006, 07:52 PM	#14
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	I was not suggesting the sword is of great age, just offering the possibility that, because trade increased with Japan after the opening of the Suez, that even 120 years ago it could be possible that a Japanese blade could have ended up in the middle east. Not necessarily as a 'trade' blade either, (as Tim pointed out, why are there not more?) Perhaps (as I was thinking) a trophy, gift or personal purchase by a trader/crew member etc later sold on .......who knows...this is after all ...just speculation Obviously as time progressed through the 20th C the probability (of a Japanese blade in the Middle East) increases dramatically. (the World Wars, commercial airlines etc etc)