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19th November 2022, 05:02 AM | #1 |
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The small (77 cm) Pala is interesting. It has an inscription in Russian that was severely damaged by polishing and I can recognize only letters, but not words.
The reverse (?) has an Orthodox cross and also damaged dates. I think I can make sense out of it, however: 1877-1878. These are the dates of the penultimate Russian-Turkish War, a Caucasian one. Russia won and received Kars and Ardahan. The last one was WWI if one discounts recent skirmishes in Libya and Syria. Obviously, this one was made after the war, likely as a souvenir. The greatest (IMHO) consequence of 1877-78 war was the acquaintance of the Russians with rotating vertical grill of thin cuts of lamb that now we know as Gyro ( Greek) or Shwarma ( Arabic). The Russians called it Shashlik a la Kars and it was considered by them an exotic delicacy. Now it is a street food all over the Middle East. Regretfully, many places use cheap turkey meat. |
19th November 2022, 01:14 PM | #2 |
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As mentioned earlier both are good old swords, as someone said most likely 19th century. I really like the smaller one, good untouched condition. I would call both Pala swords. I have one myself that is abot 85cm and 1100 grams. The smaller of yours seem very light and short, could it be for a child or youngster?
As someone mentioned in earlier post the smaller one may well be sham wootz, but I have seen exampes with twist core pattern welded as well. |
19th November 2022, 04:10 PM | #3 |
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Thank you all for your feedback. The only question I have is about the grip material? And on the scabbord, what are the little springs and what is the purpose? Thanks
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19th November 2022, 07:37 PM | #4 | ||
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The "springs" are a typical Ottoman scabbard stitch. From SBG forum:
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19th November 2022, 08:15 PM | #5 |
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Wow, what great information. Thank you
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19th November 2022, 08:18 PM | #6 |
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My friend that speaks Arabic translated a few words on mine. He made out three names. Adam, Joseph and Malek.
Last edited by ASPaulding; 19th November 2022 at 08:52 PM. |
29th November 2022, 11:40 PM | #7 | |
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It's difficult to recognize any word in this one, except for the one on the left hand side which I think is Allah (God) based on the attached image. |
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19th November 2022, 08:14 PM | #8 | |
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20th November 2022, 12:43 AM | #9 | |
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Quote:
With your clue I seem to be able to read a part of the upper line: "А?типов турец[кий] ?" , ie. name ("A?tipov tur [ kish?]"). Last edited by ariel; 20th November 2022 at 10:26 AM. |
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20th November 2022, 02:43 AM | #10 |
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I really wish I could help you with your sword. I have found a few that resemble it. Some from when Bulgaria was part of the ottoman empire and a couple from Russia. Hopefully somebody else may have some input.
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20th November 2022, 03:22 PM | #11 | |
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Maybe it starts with "ЗА" (FOR or PER according to google)? And I can see the remains of the rest of the date as an 8 at the end of the bottom row. That is interesting in itself, as I haven't really seen anything very similar in the (admittedly brief) time I've been collecting. Do these have kilij blades? If you have pictures or links I'd appreciate it. Last edited by werecow; 20th November 2022 at 03:33 PM. |
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20th November 2022, 03:46 PM | #12 |
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I'm trying to search through my history to find the examples. Here is a link to an old 2004 post that I found last night wih some great information.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=727 |
20th November 2022, 04:43 PM | #13 |
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I am reading the inscription as "За Отличие въ Турецкой Войне", meaning "For Distinguishment in the Turkish War". To me, it is suspicious.
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21st November 2022, 01:12 PM | #14 | |||
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I doubt that. It's got the typical T-section and it isn't an overly clunky one. It seems it was made this way, at least. |
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20th November 2022, 04:48 PM | #15 |
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It definitely seems like there has been a few Russian-Bugarian Ottoman inspire swords from that same time period. All are just diffrent in there on way. Yours looks like a Shamshir grip and gaurd while the blade is a Kilij. Is it possible your blade was modified to resemble a Kilij? I know nothing of the capabilities of modifing a blade. I once had a sabre that was straightend and modified to look like a 17th century Walloon.
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21st November 2022, 01:32 AM | #16 |
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i looked at the better pics and suddenly it dawned on me: ” за отличие в турецкой войне”.
I was so proud of myself and scrolled down the page to publish my momentous discovery when I saw Teodor’s post…. Well, I got silver:-))) Or, as the Russians used to report the results of a duel between the American and the Russian runners: “Our runner came second and the American one came barely before the last”. Say whatever you want, the handle and the crossguard are typical Georgian. |
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