An interesting Yataghan sword-stick for comment & analysis!

[Nihl]

Alright sorry for the delay folks! I tried to take these pics in one go, so if they're a bit rough around the edges then my apologies. This first post will be focused around the hilt, with the next around the scabbard, fittings, and blade. Let me know what you think or if there's anything you want a specific closeup of.

Also thanks for the positive words Jim! I had a feeling you would appreciate this one

[Nihl]

Pt.2

[Kubur]

Mmmmm nice screws and nail, definitively something recent, early or mid 20thc.

The blade doesn't look European to me and the scabbard is flyssa like type...

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by Kubur

Mmmmm nice screws and nail, definitively something recent, early or mid 20thc.

The blade doesn't look European to me and the scabbard is flyssa like type...

Well, the blade looks pretty European to me, and while I understand the similarities with flyssa scabbards (two wooden halves kept together by metal bands), I do not believe this is a strong enough indication towards African origin. But this may change depending on the answer to my question below.

The scales on the other hand, appear quite clearly to be of walrus ivory, and indeed of a more Balkan shape (albeit this attribution is quite fuzzy since skills and styles travelled and overlapped greatly within the Ottoman Empire).

Question: Are the metal bands of the scabbard continuous (like metal rings) or are they metal bands surrounding the scabbard and having the ends joined together by bending (flyssa style)?

PS: The metal rings/bands on the scabbard can also be a later addition.

[Nihl]

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

Are the metal bands of the scabbard continuous (like metal rings) or are they metal bands surrounding the scabbard and having the ends joined together by bending (flyssa style)?
.

They're continuous! There's a barely-visible seam on each one indicating where the band was forged-welded together.

[Nihl]

Originally Posted by Kubur

Mmmmm nice screws and nail, definitively something recent, early or mid 20thc.

Those repairs certainly are, yes. Somehow I doubt the scales were that fractured when they were originally attached...

That said, the screws themselves actually look rather roughly made, so I suppose they could be original with the piece if the whole thing was made earlier. Maybe late 19th or something like that.

[Saracen]

The general shape is very similar to the Carpathian shepherd's ax-staff (valaška, fokos).
They were not always with an ax on the top; there were also other forms of pommel.
The authorities often tried to ban them because it was a serious weapon.
Maybe valaška with a blade inside is the result of such a prohibition?