[ariel]

Originally Posted by Yannis

Ah, Ariel, why you remind me Budapest! I was there a dozen years ago and I had found some excellent swords but I had no knowledge and I was not so addicted like today, so I didn’t get them.
Later a lot of times I am thinking of these swords. Now you open again an old wound.
Also I still dream the fine shamshir I didn’t get the same era from Istanbul. Today I could kill for that. BTW Istanbul now has triple prices than London.

About 4 years ago I was in Istanbul, at the Market. Went to the antique weapons section: about 10 stores, all filled with expensive fakes, even more expensive "combination" and " reworked" pieces , some atrocities (shashka with soft iron blade embellished with a panoply of bizarre symbols), and awfully expensive low to middle-class authentic pieces. A rusty shamshir ( non-Damascus) with semi-intact scabbard was offered for $12,000.
Budapest...... I share your depression about not splurging there... A yataghan with a karabela handle for $300, a Hungarian Kilij for $600... I got there something, no doubt and my only justification for not getting more was the size of our luggage. Come to think of it, I could have bought another suitcase or used mail service... Moron