Trabzon Sword

Norman McCormick · 24th April 2008, 02:05 PM

Ariel, I read with interest your link to a previous thread about these weapons. I noticed, on yours and others, that although the grips tend to be reasonably similar that there is quite a diversification in the blades not restricted to the fullers, which are mostly decorative and one would expect variations, but the blades seem to vary in shape considerably more than I would have expected for items with the same ethnographic background in time and place. From what I have been able to read these weapons don't occupy a great deal of time in history, late19th/early20th Century, is there a progression from start to finish in style e.g. simpler in the beginning and progressing to more complex shapes as time and taste advance or it may be that it is a regional variation . As it seems that a lot of these are dated it might not be too difficult to see if any links exists in the timeline of manufacture. Just a thought, nice pieces by the way.
Regards,
Norman.

Norman McCormick · 24th April 2008, 02:16 PM

David, I feel a bit silly I hadn't even thought about the leather being shaped to accomodate the shape of the throat when folded over, having said that if I tuck the leather into the scabbard throat it doesn't sit very well inside and I would have thought that someone that took the time to scallop the leather so neatly would have made a better job if the tags were to be glued inside the scabbard. I think I'm 50/50 on this, I can't see any evidence of glue either on the leather or the wooden surface inside the scabbard and the leather is quite secure right up to the lip of the scabbard mmmmm????? food for thought.
Regards,
Norman.

24th April 2008, 02:05 PM	#1
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,644	Ariel, I read with interest your link to a previous thread about these weapons. I noticed, on yours and others, that although the grips tend to be reasonably similar that there is quite a diversification in the blades not restricted to the fullers, which are mostly decorative and one would expect variations, but the blades seem to vary in shape considerably more than I would have expected for items with the same ethnographic background in time and place. From what I have been able to read these weapons don't occupy a great deal of time in history, late19th/early20th Century, is there a progression from start to finish in style e.g. simpler in the beginning and progressing to more complex shapes as time and taste advance or it may be that it is a regional variation . As it seems that a lot of these are dated it might not be too difficult to see if any links exists in the timeline of manufacture. Just a thought, nice pieces by the way. Regards, Norman.

24th April 2008, 02:16 PM	#2
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,644	David, I feel a bit silly I hadn't even thought about the leather being shaped to accomodate the shape of the throat when folded over, having said that if I tuck the leather into the scabbard throat it doesn't sit very well inside and I would have thought that someone that took the time to scallop the leather so neatly would have made a better job if the tags were to be glued inside the scabbard. I think I'm 50/50 on this, I can't see any evidence of glue either on the leather or the wooden surface inside the scabbard and the leather is quite secure right up to the lip of the scabbard mmmmm????? food for thought. Regards, Norman.