wonderful Flyssa

[Jim McDougall]

Thanks Teodor
Actually, since it seems to be a 20th century weapon it would not actually be transitional though as the weapon form as represented in the mid 19th century examples I posted seems to have been well established by then. While the Kabyles were from what I understand never subjugated by the Ottomans, their influence was nevertheless profound among these tribes. As I mentioned, the rite of passage involving acquiring his own sword by a young man, and along with his 'fortune' or some semblance of financial stability, did not specify the sword to be a flyssa. In fact, the yataghan was extremely highly regarded, and there are certainly variant types that reflect some yataghan and some flyssa characteristics. To acquire an actual yataghan was considered very influential. It has been some time since this research was done, but these are points I recall.

This may be somewhat a hybrid in that sense, but again, it is not 'early' as it is probably 20th century. By this time, the well known style of flyssas had been largely collected, and fallen considerably out of use in warfare.

It seems crudely executed in the geometric designs, but this simply means they were probably applied by a tribal figure not necessarily advanced in craftsmanship. The meanings remain the same, and that is what is important.

All best regards,
Jim