1784 Balkan yataghan of Christian owner

ariel · 31st July 2021, 02:18 AM

I recall some Greek yataghans with thin ears. Masters tried to skimp on walrus ivory and used halves of longitudinally cut walrus tusks ( primary dentin by the tang, a layer of the secondary one comprising the ear) rather than the whole one ( primary-secondary- primary). The result was very fragile ears , often with losses, but the intact ones were superbly elegant, like this one.
Agree with Teodor on the origin.
Very, very nice one and likely, more decorative than fighting : no signs of active field usage.

eftihis · 31st July 2021, 08:05 AM

The inscriptions on one side

eftihis · 31st July 2021, 08:12 AM

The other side

31st July 2021, 08:05 AM	#2
eftihis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chania Crete Greece Posts: 511	The inscriptions on one side Attached Images

31st July 2021, 08:12 AM	#3
eftihis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chania Crete Greece Posts: 511	the other side The other side Attached Images

31st July 2021, 02:18 AM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I recall some Greek yataghans with thin ears. Masters tried to skimp on walrus ivory and used halves of longitudinally cut walrus tusks ( primary dentin by the tang, a layer of the secondary one comprising the ear) rather than the whole one ( primary-secondary- primary). The result was very fragile ears , often with losses, but the intact ones were superbly elegant, like this one. Agree with Teodor on the origin. Very, very nice one and likely, more decorative than fighting : no signs of active field usage.