"Saracen" sword

Jim McDougall · 1st August 2006, 04:35 AM

The 16th century assessment and the archaic term Saracen surely do present a colorful description worthy of highly romanticized literature, recalling the antique weapons catalogs of a certain dealer whose name will not be used here

Sometimes I miss those old catalogs!!!

I agree with the observations placing this blade about late 18th c into the early 19th, and feel that it may well be one of the neoclassic blades that were termed 'Kalachuri'. In Oliver Pinchot's excellent article "The Persian Shamshir: and the Signature of Assad Allah" ("Arms Collecting", Vol.40, #1, February,2002), he notes the revival of these medieval type blades in the 19th century which had distinct ethnic significance for Persia's Turkic enclaves as well as in fact the Qajars themselves whose origins were Turkic. The shamshir remained popular of course with the Persian nobility.
The obviously later hilt and mounts, which as noted appear of probably latter 19th century, seem consistant with the Qajar 'revival' items, which I cannot recall details of thier production. Usually they are with this type motif, and the cast hilt reminds me of similar Indian weapons of that period, especially some of the serpentine bladed,parrot head hilted swords.

In the article it is noted that,"...the enormous demand for Persian blades both in Persia and abroad resulted in great increases in production at such centers as Khorassan, Qazvin and Isfahan in the late 18th and 19th centuries". Further "...Persian smiths reverted to producing a heavier and more complex type of blade, replete with fullers, grooves and false edge, which had been popular prior to the reign of Abbas". (p.7).
The data listed previous suggests these were the 'kalachuri' blades.

With the Arabian affinity for Persian blades, it does seem quite plausible that this sabre might have found its way there via the established trade routes.
It is therefore of earlier blade type, made probably in Persia of Turkic form, and later in 19th century as mounted. A most interesting sword.

Still cant figure why the guy didn't complete the description with 'scymitar'!!!

Best regards,
Jim

1st August 2006, 04:35 AM	#8
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	The 16th century assessment and the archaic term Saracen surely do present a colorful description worthy of highly romanticized literature, recalling the antique weapons catalogs of a certain dealer whose name will not be used here Sometimes I miss those old catalogs!!! I agree with the observations placing this blade about late 18th c into the early 19th, and feel that it may well be one of the neoclassic blades that were termed 'Kalachuri'. In Oliver Pinchot's excellent article "The Persian Shamshir: and the Signature of Assad Allah" ("Arms Collecting", Vol.40, #1, February,2002), he notes the revival of these medieval type blades in the 19th century which had distinct ethnic significance for Persia's Turkic enclaves as well as in fact the Qajars themselves whose origins were Turkic. The shamshir remained popular of course with the Persian nobility. The obviously later hilt and mounts, which as noted appear of probably latter 19th century, seem consistant with the Qajar 'revival' items, which I cannot recall details of thier production. Usually they are with this type motif, and the cast hilt reminds me of similar Indian weapons of that period, especially some of the serpentine bladed,parrot head hilted swords. In the article it is noted that,"...the enormous demand for Persian blades both in Persia and abroad resulted in great increases in production at such centers as Khorassan, Qazvin and Isfahan in the late 18th and 19th centuries". Further "...Persian smiths reverted to producing a heavier and more complex type of blade, replete with fullers, grooves and false edge, which had been popular prior to the reign of Abbas". (p.7). The data listed previous suggests these were the 'kalachuri' blades. With the Arabian affinity for Persian blades, it does seem quite plausible that this sabre might have found its way there via the established trade routes. It is therefore of earlier blade type, made probably in Persia of Turkic form, and later in 19th century as mounted. A most interesting sword. Still cant figure why the guy didn't complete the description with 'scymitar'!!! Best regards, Jim