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Originally Posted by Battara
I was reading more in Elgood's book The Arms of Greece and Her Balkan Neighbors in the Ottoman Period (p.65) and he noted that the inscription on this blade is common on Balkan pieces in general, but less common on yataghans............
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Jose,
I disagree. The
La fatâ illâ ‘Alî la sayf illâ Zu’l-Fikâr inscription is actually quite popular on yataghan blades and sword blades in general, due to the associations with the magic properties of Ali's legendary sword. I am attaching a picture of a blade with this inscription for reference, from an article in Bulgarian about common inscriptions on weapons and their meaning.
The seven sleepers inscription is encountered less often, but it is not uncommon - if you search the forum I am sure you will find at least two more examples of it. Apparently, the fable about the sleepers was used as a symbolic reference to dying in the name of the faith and going to heaven.
Regards,
Teodor