Mameluke Sword

Michael Blalock · 9th October 2008, 08:17 PM

This sword just sold on Hermann Historica www.hermann-historica.com, Lot Nr.406. Sorry, no link to the page, nor can I copy the image.
That gavel price converts to $56,000 US plus a 20% buyer's fee I think. Quite a price in these troubled times for a plain piece, but a very interesting sword.

kisak · 10th October 2008, 01:32 AM

I think linking like this should work: http://www.hermann-historica.de/aukt...db=kat56_p.txt

Jim McDougall · 10th October 2008, 03:02 AM

Plain, yes......just plain magnificent!!!
It would seem that this broadsword might well represent the proto-kaskara.
Can anyone offer some insight on this piece....wish I had my trusty 'Yucel' with me

The pommel does seem to recall 'Viking' hilts.

Rick · 10th October 2008, 03:08 AM

Well, here is the same type of fuller .

kahnjar1 · 10th October 2008, 03:52 AM

I was of the impression that "mameluke" refered generally to the type of hilt on swords, similar in shape to the hilts on shamshirs.
Is this actually a "mameluke" sword?
Please educate me.
Regards Stuart

Jim McDougall · 10th October 2008, 06:16 AM

Thank you Rick, that example does indeed show the similarity between these early Islamic broadswords and the famed Sudanese examples, emphasizing the blade.

You're right Stuart, the term 'mameluke' does apply to the Ottoman form hilts on military officers sabres of Great Britain and France. After the Napoleonic campaigns in Egypt at the end of the 18th century, the armies of these powers greatly impressed by the Mamluk horsemen of Egypt, adopted sabres of the style carried by them, thus the hilt form became known as 'mameluke'.

The Mamluks were a military caste who served Muslim Caliphs and Ayyubid Sultans during the middle ages, and in the Crusades. They became warrior rulers with the Mamluk Sultanate ruling in Egypt and Syria from 1250-1517.

The sword shown here is stated to be Mamluk of 14th century, of which a number of the swords that appear in the Yucel work include.

While Victorian writers perpetuated the romaticized idea that the 'kaskara' swords of the Sudan were either actual swords of the Crusaders or at least carrying thier blades, it is now generally held that these broadswords evolved from the swords of early Islam, such as these Mamluk forms.

All best regards,
Jim

9th October 2008, 08:17 PM	#1
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Mameluke Sword This sword just sold on Hermann Historica www.hermann-historica.com, Lot Nr.406. Sorry, no link to the page, nor can I copy the image. That gavel price converts to $56,000 US plus a 20% buyer's fee I think. Quite a price in these troubled times for a plain piece, but a very interesting sword.

10th October 2008, 01:32 AM	#2
kisak Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Stockholm Posts: 182	I think linking like this should work: http://www.hermann-historica.de/aukt...db=kat56_p.txt Attached Images

10th October 2008, 03:08 AM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,262	Well, here is the same type of fuller . Attached Images

10th October 2008, 03:52 AM	#5
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,729	MAMELUKE ??? I was of the impression that "mameluke" refered generally to the type of hilt on swords, similar in shape to the hilts on shamshirs. Is this actually a "mameluke" sword? Please educate me. Regards Stuart

10th October 2008, 03:02 AM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,739	Plain, yes......just plain magnificent!!! It would seem that this broadsword might well represent the proto-kaskara. Can anyone offer some insight on this piece....wish I had my trusty 'Yucel' with me The pommel does seem to recall 'Viking' hilts.

10th October 2008, 06:16 AM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,739	Thank you Rick, that example does indeed show the similarity between these early Islamic broadswords and the famed Sudanese examples, emphasizing the blade. You're right Stuart, the term 'mameluke' does apply to the Ottoman form hilts on military officers sabres of Great Britain and France. After the Napoleonic campaigns in Egypt at the end of the 18th century, the armies of these powers greatly impressed by the Mamluk horsemen of Egypt, adopted sabres of the style carried by them, thus the hilt form became known as 'mameluke'. The Mamluks were a military caste who served Muslim Caliphs and Ayyubid Sultans during the middle ages, and in the Crusades. They became warrior rulers with the Mamluk Sultanate ruling in Egypt and Syria from 1250-1517. The sword shown here is stated to be Mamluk of 14th century, of which a number of the swords that appear in the Yucel work include. While Victorian writers perpetuated the romaticized idea that the 'kaskara' swords of the Sudan were either actual swords of the Crusaders or at least carrying thier blades, it is now generally held that these broadswords evolved from the swords of early Islam, such as these Mamluk forms. All best regards, Jim