Persian KILIJ

mariusgmioc · 22nd December 2021, 09:08 PM

Hello Tea,

To my eyes, the blade definitely doesn't look Persian. The style and technique of the damascening is definitely not Persian. More likely Turkish or even Indian. Better photos and a possible translation may reveal more about it.

The hilt doesn't appear to be neither Persian nor Turkish but a phantasy later replacement with a total disregard to practical use. The square cross-section would make it extremely uncomfortable to use. As with regards to the bronze flower-shaped disks adorning the pommel, I find them strikingly similar to some old drawer knobs (see photo). And no, for swords those are very uncommon... maybe unique.

The cross-guard may be Persian but has rather strange proportions, with very flimsy langets and crude workmanship.

Last but not least, the scabbard appears to be a mixture of styles as well, with the classic Turkish wire stitching on the side and rather Persian, but of very crude workmanship, suspension rings. The upper part of the scabbard is clearly a replacement and the lower part appears to have been strangely designed without a chape.

22nd December 2021, 09:08 PM	#2
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,906	Hello Tea, To my eyes, the blade definitely doesn't look Persian. The style and technique of the damascening is definitely not Persian. More likely Turkish or even Indian. Better photos and a possible translation may reveal more about it. The hilt doesn't appear to be neither Persian nor Turkish but a phantasy later replacement with a total disregard to practical use. The square cross-section would make it extremely uncomfortable to use. As with regards to the bronze flower-shaped disks adorning the pommel, I find them strikingly similar to some old drawer knobs (see photo). And no, for swords those are very uncommon... maybe unique. The cross-guard may be Persian but has rather strange proportions, with very flimsy langets and crude workmanship. Last but not least, the scabbard appears to be a mixture of styles as well, with the classic Turkish wire stitching on the side and rather Persian, but of very crude workmanship, suspension rings. The upper part of the scabbard is clearly a replacement and the lower part appears to have been strangely designed without a chape. Attached Images Last edited by mariusgmioc; 22nd December 2021 at 10:11 PM.