Ottoman silver shamshir sword

[gp]

very nice one ! My compliments.

The double headed eagle made me think of 3 potential "culprits" :


Russia,
Albania,
the Holy Roman empire

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-headed_eagle

but most likely it is or could be related to Ali Pasha of Ioannina
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Pasha_of_Ioannina

who had his role in the strive for independence in the region, next to being a link to the Hellenistic region .

Tip for those interested in the latter; a most interesting and beautiful book... "Captain Michalis / Ο Καπετάν Μιχάλης " (AKA Freedom or Death) by Nikos Kazantzakis

[TVV]

The eagle was a symbol of the Eastern Roman Empire for many centuries before Russia even thought of adopting it...

[OsobistGB]

Originally Posted by TVV

The eagle was a symbol of the Eastern Roman Empire for many centuries before Russia even thought of adopting it...

After the fall of Constantinople in 1453, the Eastern Roman Empire ceased to exist. Historical sources provide insight into the connection between the double-headed eagle and Russia, which claims to be the successor of Rome and Constantinople.

[Ian]

Osobist,

Your version of history is very Russocentric and not reflective of the persistence of the Eastern Orthodox Church, and of course the Roman Catholic Church which has remained in Rome. I have edited your post to remove your version of "historical facts," as I consider these are provocative comments that should not be pursued further here. Anyone responding to the issues you raised will have their comments deleted because this topic is extraneous to the present discussion and likely to lead to friction.

Ian

[TVV]

All I was trying to point out is that the double headed eagle, 1822 date, initials and Greek cross which were added to the original silver fittings are most likely associated with the Eastern Roman Empire and the dream of its revival in the context of Greek nationalism in the early 19th century. Basically, I am in agreement with Eftihis on this.

If someone believes the symbol should be interpreted differently, I doubt anyone would be against well reasoned arguments.

[gp]

Originally Posted by TVV

All I was trying to point out is that the double headed eagle, 1822 date, initials and Greek cross which were added to the original silver fittings are most likely associated with the Eastern Roman Empire and the dream of its revival in the context of Greek nationalism in the early 19th century. Basically, I am in agreement with Eftihis on this.

If someone believes the symbol should be interpreted differently, I doubt anyone would be against well reasoned arguments.

I agree as well;

an orignally in the Ottoman empire made weapon with a later added decoration referring to the Greek insurgence / independence battle which started in 1821 :
https://dlab.epfl.ch/wikispeedia/wpc...dependence.htm

which started also around that time in the Balkans as well ;
Serbia 1804: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbian_Revolution
and much later the Herzegovina uprising 1875-1877 .

All prior the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878)....

As for the double headed eagle, multiple origins can be found, hence the link I added, starting from the Bronze age being displayed....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-headed_eagle

but the Greek link might indicate the cooperation with Ali Pasha of Ioannina as can be found in the explanation in the above link on Ali Pasha of Ioannina....

Nevertheless it is a very very nice historic sword with a higher personal value for any person with Greek roots...

[toaster5sqn]

Is it just me or has it been disassembled at some point and put back together with the quillons inverted.

Robert