Shamshir with serpentine blade - age?
 

I have a collection of well over a hundred edged weapons but this one is a dandy. It's a beautiful Shamshir with a serpentine blade that I acquired from an elderly gentlemans collection a few years ago. He claimed he had purchased it in Afganistan back in the 1950's for the equivalant of around $500 (pretty good sum in those days). He had a nice wall display for the piece and it had been on display at his home for over 50 years.

The blade is 33 inch serpentine or flamberge-style, rams horn grip, scabbard and fittings German silver or Kar Sini. Beautifully engraved scabbard and guard. Blade is constructed from crucible steel with very fine patterns seen in the blade steel. The patterns are difficult to capture with a photo because the blade is fairly scratched and I am reluctant to polish out the scatches. Koftgari gold inlaid makers mark (Islamic symbol) on blade.

Could anyone help with two questions - the symbol on the blade and some feedback on a possible age?

Very nice Shamshir! Congratulations. ;) :) :)

Welcome to the forum! Thanks for sharing a nice Ottoman shamshir. I would date this example to the early 19th century. I would speculate that the blade started out life as a pure shamshir blade and later in life was altered into this serpentine shape. Still, nicely done as it seems to have pretty good flow and uniformity throughout. If you rotate your picture of the cartouche there are members on the forum that might be able to translate it.

The handle is Ottoman, the scabbard has some Aravian influences ( akrab). I would tilt toward late Ottoman , when the Turks were still in control of the Arabian Peninsula: early to middle 19th century.

Nice one. Agree with Rsword, the blade was probably a normal shamshir that was changed to this. Is there a reason to do so? My guess would be that the edge was damaged and was reshaped but that doesnt explain changing the back aswell!

Ariel, the scabbard is pure Ottoman with emblems etc, no agrab so I dont think this one was in Arabia.

Wow ! Thanks for all the input on this piece - I had been thinking mid-19th century but I was merely guessing. Here is the cartouche rotated. Thanks again. Most of my collection is European but I have a few middle eastern pieces, tulwars, kards and jambiyas, but this one is a definately one of my favorites - its sharp too!

John

Hi Barnett, welcome on board :D
the writing on the "cartouche" it's done in "Farsi" language,
what it's not our field of application
through Arabic language, under further confirmation by specialist, has been read
- ALLAH either GOD
- ASFAHAN either ISFAHAN
- LAKHURI (supposed to be a name)
- NABAN (supposed to be a name)
two last mentions, need to be checked, and approved
unfortunately, no indication if it is the furbisher, or the owner :o

amazing "Shamshir" very attractive,
from early 19th century at my point of view
all the best

à +

Dom

Thanks! Farsi would fit wih the sword originating in or near Afganistan then. I appreciate all your help!