Help needed with Persian shamshir cartouche

William Fox · 5th February 2016, 10:31 PM

Dear members,

This is my first post on this forum. I have been collecting antique edged weapons for many years, since I was twelve, I'm now 36.

Years ago I started collecting German pattern welded damascus swords, mostly 19th and early 20th century vintage, and became fascinated with the art of European 'Damascus' blades. Inevitably I tried to find out what real damascus blades were all about, and I began to study Persian sword making and wootz steel. I spent time looking at examples in museums and books, and finally, very recently, I have purchased an example of a wootz steel Persian shamshir. The grip seems to be in bad shape, with signs of old repairs, but the blade looks pretty good.

The blade has two cartouches, with some other writing. I asked a friend in the Middle East if he could help me translate them, but although he is a calligrapher, he is not expert in Persian / Farsi. He thinks that one cartouche says: 'made by Zaman Esfahani'.

Can anyone help me with translating what is written on this blade, and also tell me anything about its age and who Zaman was.

Many thanks in advance for any advice!

Kind regards

Will

Jens Nordlunde · 9th February 2016, 03:15 PM

A few sharp pictures of the sword and close ups of the inlays would help.

Ian · 9th February 2016, 06:49 PM

William:

Welcome to the forum and I look forward to seeing pictures of your sword.

When you come to posting pictures of your sword please read the sticky note at the top of the Forum page about what and how to post them. A picture of the complete sword is needed plus the close=up views of teh area for translation.

Regards,

ian.

mahratt · 9th February 2016, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

William:

Welcome to the forum and I look forward to seeing pictures of your sword.

When you come to posting pictures of your sword please read the sticky note at the top of the Forum page about what and how to post them. A picture of the complete sword is needed plus the close=up views of teh area for translation.

Regards,

ian.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=21078

estcrh · 9th February 2016, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

William:

Welcome to the forum and I look forward to seeing pictures of your sword.

When you come to posting pictures of your sword please read the sticky note at the top of the Forum page about what and how to post them. A picture of the complete sword is needed plus the close=up views of teh area for translation.

Regards,

ian.

Ian, I think we already have examples of the sword in question here, http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=21078 this thread should probably be merged with the first one.

5th February 2016, 10:31 PM	#1
William Fox Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Great Britain Posts: 24	Help needed with Persian shamshir cartouche Dear members, This is my first post on this forum. I have been collecting antique edged weapons for many years, since I was twelve, I'm now 36. Years ago I started collecting German pattern welded damascus swords, mostly 19th and early 20th century vintage, and became fascinated with the art of European 'Damascus' blades. Inevitably I tried to find out what real damascus blades were all about, and I began to study Persian sword making and wootz steel. I spent time looking at examples in museums and books, and finally, very recently, I have purchased an example of a wootz steel Persian shamshir. The grip seems to be in bad shape, with signs of old repairs, but the blade looks pretty good. The blade has two cartouches, with some other writing. I asked a friend in the Middle East if he could help me translate them, but although he is a calligrapher, he is not expert in Persian / Farsi. He thinks that one cartouche says: 'made by Zaman Esfahani'. Can anyone help me with translating what is written on this blade, and also tell me anything about its age and who Zaman was. Many thanks in advance for any advice! Kind regards Will

9th February 2016, 03:15 PM	#2
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,713	A few sharp pictures of the sword and close ups of the inlays would help.

9th February 2016, 06:49 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,028	William: Welcome to the forum and I look forward to seeing pictures of your sword. When you come to posting pictures of your sword please read the sticky note at the top of the Forum page about what and how to post them. A picture of the complete sword is needed plus the close=up views of teh area for translation. Regards, ian.