Omani Kattara

Michael Blalock · 28th March 2007, 11:01 PM

Borrowed camera-not so good-but here are some close-ups.

Thanks, Nagawarrior, I thought it would go higher.

ariel · 29th March 2007, 01:40 AM

The one with the curved blade might be caucasian: as per Elgood, in the second part of the 19th century, Daghestanis imported their shashka blades all over and they became very popular in Oman.
I am curious about the new one (straight-bladed): isn't the silver wire a bit too intact? I looked at it and contemplated a bid, but the perfect arrangement of the strands made me apprehensive. They are not even moved, as would be expected from long use. I am not trying to rain on your parade, but just wish to know whether I was too chicken.

Michael Blalock · 29th March 2007, 02:05 AM

That crossed my mind when I bid, but when I received the sword I could tell that the wire wraping had been there since it was made. It's a gut feeling I know, yet one I tust. The silver wire stiching holding the leather to the scabbard is much finer than the hilt yet it is still intact and has the same patina as the hilt. I think that this is more remarkable fact than the condition of the hilt. I believe this is at least a hundred year old piece that was well cared for. If the hilt was rewired at some point, it was done by a master kattara maker. It is increadibly well done.

28th March 2007, 11:01 PM	#1
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Borrowed camera-not so good-but here are some close-ups. Thanks, Nagawarrior, I thought it would go higher. Attached Images

29th March 2007, 01:40 AM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	The one with the curved blade might be caucasian: as per Elgood, in the second part of the 19th century, Daghestanis imported their shashka blades all over and they became very popular in Oman. I am curious about the new one (straight-bladed): isn't the silver wire a bit too intact? I looked at it and contemplated a bid, but the perfect arrangement of the strands made me apprehensive. They are not even moved, as would be expected from long use. I am not trying to rain on your parade, but just wish to know whether I was too chicken.

29th March 2007, 02:05 AM	#3
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	That crossed my mind when I bid, but when I received the sword I could tell that the wire wraping had been there since it was made. It's a gut feeling I know, yet one I tust. The silver wire stiching holding the leather to the scabbard is much finer than the hilt yet it is still intact and has the same patina as the hilt. I think that this is more remarkable fact than the condition of the hilt. I believe this is at least a hundred year old piece that was well cared for. If the hilt was rewired at some point, it was done by a master kattara maker. It is increadibly well done.