Arabian Sayf

ariel · 17th September 2006, 02:52 AM

Just ended
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=007

Nice wootz blade, unfortunately with too many slag pitting.
There is a mere recent, amateurish, inscription parallel to the spine.
Any translation?
The pommel is unusual: the buyer calls it "camel head" and I like this definition. Scabbard fittings are nice, silver and repousse and the turquoise adds quite a lot to the beauty. The meaning of " Britannia" in the description evades me.
Overall, I guess it is an Arabian one (from the Arabian Peninsula) and would look very good on my wall...

The price, of course, is exorbitant and the shipping is outrageous.

Rick · 17th September 2006, 02:59 AM

14.5 K for that ?!?!?
This is ridiculous !

spiral · 17th September 2006, 04:23 AM

Nice enough blade & I especialy like the handle, but sadley the belt hanger fittings look much coarser & more recent than the scabbard throat, blade & handle to my eye though.

Britania can have various relevant meanings to this piece I would think.

Generaly Britannia silver is an alloy of silver containing 95.84% silver, with the balance usually copper.

But rather like the terms Eastern, Nickel or German silver, Britannia silver should probably be distinguished from Britannia metal, a pewter like or white metal alloy contaning no silver.

Spiral

S.Al-Anizi · 17th September 2006, 11:08 AM

I always thought this one was afghani, with a persian blade (the swivel on the pommel). It doesnt strike me as arabian (peninsula) at all. The belt on the scabbard is also very un-arabian, arabs (of arabia) usually wore their swords using a rope of silk and gold/silver thread, or cheaper, just plain cotton. Not a belt.

Although it could be a syrian saif, more likely. With the belt (they used belts)

Lew · 17th September 2006, 02:09 PM

$14,500 sure thing I'll buy two of them especially when you do not get to see what the entire blade looks like

Lew

Ian · 17th September 2006, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

14.5 K for that ?!?!?
This is ridiculous !

Yep. No bids either.

Ian.

S.Al-Anizi · 17th September 2006, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Yep. No bids either.

Ian.

I agree, this is not worth that much.

Battara · 17th September 2006, 06:54 PM

Love the mounts but the blade - blehhh!

ham · 17th September 2006, 07:06 PM

This is a typical Hyderabad Arab remount of Persian work. Interesting history to this group, they are also know for their matchlock guns.
It is silver mounted, 'Eastern' or 'coin' silver are the terms generally used for this type.

Ham

ALEX · 20th September 2006, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

14.5 K for that ?!?!?
This is ridiculous !

Rick, I agree, BUT do you see this type of sword (with 5 original stamps, original scabbard and mounts being readily available for less? Do you know how many people will pay way more for this one? I know plenty. The ONLY ridiculous part of it is that you can not pay a lot without seeing and carefully inspecting it.
I think it's persian or syrian. The mounts are probably from another sword.

Rick · 20th September 2006, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALEX

Rick, I agree, BUT do you see this type of sword (with 5 original stamps, original scabbard and mounts being readily available for less? Do you know how many people will pay way more for this one? I know plenty. The ONLY ridiculous part of it is that you can not pay a lot without seeing and carefully inspecting it.
I think it's persian or syrian. The mounts are probably from another sword.

Alex, this particular sword IMO is not worth what was asked ;from the comments received so far it appears to me a remounted/married piece which I interpret as not having the original scabbard and mounts. Aside from that; as you say; it would be foolish to risk so much money on a few poor quality pictures .
For this kind of money one would again IMO need to have a personal inspection by an aknowledged expert in the field.

Can we discount that this piece could also be a forgery?

ham · 20th September 2006, 04:36 PM

What sloth, gentlemen.

Has any of you bothered to look into the history of Hyderabad, or for that matter, even located it on a map? UZBEKI? For goodness sake.

Indolent and unsupported opinions... the study of antique arms and armour requires one to be informed historically as well as geographically. Pray open a book once in awhile.

Ham

Tim Simmons · 20th September 2006, 05:17 PM

I like it. I could live with it but I would only think of paying a price around that figure divided by 15

. Then maybe persuaded higher.

17th September 2006, 02:52 AM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Arabian Sayf Just ended http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=007 Nice wootz blade, unfortunately with too many slag pitting. There is a mere recent, amateurish, inscription parallel to the spine. Any translation? The pommel is unusual: the buyer calls it "camel head" and I like this definition. Scabbard fittings are nice, silver and repousse and the turquoise adds quite a lot to the beauty. The meaning of " Britannia" in the description evades me. Overall, I guess it is an Arabian one (from the Arabian Peninsula) and would look very good on my wall... The price, of course, is exorbitant and the shipping is outrageous.

17th September 2006, 02:59 AM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,264	Now That's CRAZY !! 14.5 K for that ?!?!? This is ridiculous !

17th September 2006, 04:23 AM	#3
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Nice enough blade & I especialy like the handle, but sadley the belt hanger fittings look much coarser & more recent than the scabbard throat, blade & handle to my eye though. Britania can have various relevant meanings to this piece I would think. Generaly Britannia silver is an alloy of silver containing 95.84% silver, with the balance usually copper. But rather like the terms Eastern, Nickel or German silver, Britannia silver should probably be distinguished from Britannia metal, a pewter like or white metal alloy contaning no silver. Spiral

17th September 2006, 11:08 AM	#4
S.Al-Anizi Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Arabia Posts: 278	I always thought this one was afghani, with a persian blade (the swivel on the pommel). It doesnt strike me as arabian (peninsula) at all. The belt on the scabbard is also very un-arabian, arabs (of arabia) usually wore their swords using a rope of silk and gold/silver thread, or cheaper, just plain cotton. Not a belt. Although it could be a syrian saif, more likely. With the belt (they used belts)

17th September 2006, 02:09 PM	#5
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	$14,500 sure thing I'll buy two of them especially when you do not get to see what the entire blade looks like Lew

17th September 2006, 06:54 PM	#8
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	Love the mounts but the blade - blehhh!

17th September 2006, 07:06 PM	#9
ham Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 190	This is a typical Hyderabad Arab remount of Persian work. Interesting history to this group, they are also know for their matchlock guns. It is silver mounted, 'Eastern' or 'coin' silver are the terms generally used for this type. Ham

20th September 2006, 04:36 PM	#12
ham Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 190	What sloth, gentlemen. Has any of you bothered to look into the history of Hyderabad, or for that matter, even located it on a map? UZBEKI? For goodness sake. Indolent and unsupported opinions... the study of antique arms and armour requires one to be informed historically as well as geographically. Pray open a book once in awhile. Ham

20th September 2006, 05:17 PM	#13
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,741	I like it. I could live with it but I would only think of paying a price around that figure divided by 15 . Then maybe persuaded higher.