Absolutely breathtaking sabre Rand!! and obviously with some great history given the inscriptions described. I very much look forward to hearing more on this sword from those here well versed on Islamic swords, and on the blade. While it appears to be damascus steel, the clipped blade tip seems atypical for such sabres. The Ottoman form hilt, the date and inscription to Charles Forbes, possibly a diplomatic gift? After the campaigns in Egypt, both British and French officers greatly impressed by the Mamluk warriors, sought to have sabres of the form used by them. The European versions of these swords became regulation patterns that of course exist to this day.
Admiringly
Jim