Mysterious sword from Elgood's book

Zifir · 29th October 2006, 01:17 AM

Philip, thank you for the comments. Unfortunately I forgot to note down the measurements of the sword when I saved these pictures. His claim for it being a 'janissary' sword did not convince me, but you may never know. So I wanted to take some expert opinion. I have not seen the waxed ribbon thing before, which specifically attacted my attention to this piece.

Philip · 29th October 2006, 07:03 AM

Zifir,
This ribbon seems to be one of many similar solutions to the problem of the handle slipping in a sweaty or bloody hand. The braided cord winding on the handles of Chinese, Tibetan, and Japanese sabers, a similar thing on the hilts of the Burmese "dha", and various types of leather or rawhide winding on the handles of medieval European swords are all related to this.

I have a heavy Turkish chopping knife used by butchers or farmers, the handle is forged like a tubular extension of the blade itself. It is wrapped with a ribbon to improve the grip, and in this case, the material appears to be raw hide.

29th October 2006, 07:03 AM	#2
Philip Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,036	waxed ribbon Zifir, This ribbon seems to be one of many similar solutions to the problem of the handle slipping in a sweaty or bloody hand. The braided cord winding on the handles of Chinese, Tibetan, and Japanese sabers, a similar thing on the hilts of the Burmese "dha", and various types of leather or rawhide winding on the handles of medieval European swords are all related to this. I have a heavy Turkish chopping knife used by butchers or farmers, the handle is forged like a tubular extension of the blade itself. It is wrapped with a ribbon to improve the grip, and in this case, the material appears to be raw hide.

29th October 2006, 01:17 AM	#1
Zifir Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Istanbul Posts: 228	Philip, thank you for the comments. Unfortunately I forgot to note down the measurements of the sword when I saved these pictures. His claim for it being a 'janissary' sword did not convince me, but you may never know. So I wanted to take some expert opinion. I have not seen the waxed ribbon thing before, which specifically attacted my attention to this piece.