Yataghan inscription

eftihis · 16th May 2021, 09:18 AM

This ottoman short silver yataghan has inscriptions in both sides. A small one on the side of armourers mark, and a long inscription on the other side. In addition, it seems there are some letters on the handle also.I would be gratefull for a translation.

Norman McCormick · 16th May 2021, 05:28 PM

Hi,
Maybe a date 1211 equating to 1796/7 A.D.
Regards,
Norman.

eftihis · 18th May 2021, 08:42 AM

Thank you Norman! I forgot there is also an inscription on the silverwork on the scabbard.

Kubur · 18th May 2021, 10:50 AM

This is a beautifull piece my friend!
I have a similar armourer mark on an Algerian yataghan...
I love the Turkish coat of arms, the citadel and mosques.
A bit strange are the two lions, around the acropolis??? I have the same lions on a Greek palaska...
Maybe a Greek yataghan

Battara · 19th May 2021, 04:04 AM

On one side of the blade is what I think is a bismillah, one of the names of Allah.

mariusgmioc · 19th May 2021, 06:22 AM

Very beautiful and interesting example!

The date "1211" is quite clear and it seems to be correct for the style and condition of the sword.

The decorations on the hilt and scabbard appear more Greek/Balkans to my eyes, but this is just an opinion.

As I said it before, skills, styles and smiths travelled freely within the Ottoman Empire and you had Turkish smiths working in Greece and in the Balkans and Greek smiths working in Turkey.

PS: Norman, I think it may be helpful to post a detailed photo of the writing on the hilt. Maybe Kwiatek or a more knowledgeable colleague can translate it.

kwiatek · 17th June 2021, 11:22 PM

Sorry for long delay in replying. This is a variation on a very common inscription on yataghans. It has one spelling mistake

بچاق الده سرک [گرک] دلده یا سبحان سنه ۱۲۱۱

bıçak elde gerek dilde ya sübhân sene 1211

'In one's hand should be the knife, on one's tongue "O Exalted!" Year 1211 (1796-7)'

In the roundel is the phrase mashallah ("What God has willed")

eftihis · 18th June 2021, 04:30 PM

Thank you very much!!!

16th May 2021, 09:18 AM	#1
eftihis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chania Crete Greece Posts: 500	Yataghan inscription This ottoman short silver yataghan has inscriptions in both sides. A small one on the side of armourers mark, and a long inscription on the other side. In addition, it seems there are some letters on the handle also.I would be gratefull for a translation. Attached Images

18th May 2021, 08:42 AM	#3
eftihis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chania Crete Greece Posts: 500	Thank you Norman! I forgot there is also an inscription on the silverwork on the scabbard. Attached Images

16th May 2021, 05:28 PM	#2
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,575	Hi, Maybe a date 1211 equating to 1796/7 A.D. Regards, Norman.

18th May 2021, 10:50 AM	#4
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	This is a beautifull piece my friend! I have a similar armourer mark on an Algerian yataghan... I love the Turkish coat of arms, the citadel and mosques. A bit strange are the two lions, around the acropolis??? I have the same lions on a Greek palaska... Maybe a Greek yataghan

19th May 2021, 04:04 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	On one side of the blade is what I think is a bismillah, one of the names of Allah.

19th May 2021, 06:22 AM	#6
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,870	Very beautiful and interesting example! The date "1211" is quite clear and it seems to be correct for the style and condition of the sword. The decorations on the hilt and scabbard appear more Greek/Balkans to my eyes, but this is just an opinion. As I said it before, skills, styles and smiths travelled freely within the Ottoman Empire and you had Turkish smiths working in Greece and in the Balkans and Greek smiths working in Turkey. PS: Norman, I think it may be helpful to post a detailed photo of the writing on the hilt. Maybe Kwiatek or a more knowledgeable colleague can translate it.

17th June 2021, 11:22 PM	#7
kwiatek Member Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 153	Sorry for long delay in replying. This is a variation on a very common inscription on yataghans. It has one spelling mistake بچاق الده سرک [گرک] دلده یا سبحان سنه ۱۲۱۱ bıçak elde gerek dilde ya sübhân sene 1211 'In one's hand should be the knife, on one's tongue "O Exalted!" Year 1211 (1796-7)' In the roundel is the phrase mashallah ("What God has willed")

18th June 2021, 04:30 PM	#8
eftihis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chania Crete Greece Posts: 500	Thank you very much!!!