New yataghan: Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus!

ariel · 9th June 2007, 10:22 PM

Just got this one.
Very unusual: agate Karabela-like handle with 3 tourmalines in gold ( one) and silver ( the other two) frames. The panel is separated from the tang and there is some old crumbly and black adhesive. The other panel is missing. The strap decor looks to me European.
The blade had a lot of superficial rust. Upon removing it, I could not find any markings but was struck by the structure of the blade. I quickly polished and etched it: WOOTZ!!!
Questions:
- Any ideas of the origin? European?
- Should I order a second panel ( also agate, of course) to make it complete?

mavi1970 · 10th June 2007, 12:21 AM

well done, i also was bidding on this one, origin is open for discussion, but being wootz and such a nice sword... great purchase

Battara · 10th June 2007, 09:03 PM

It might be hard but I say YES to matching the size and type of agate and complete restoration of the other half. IT is worth it. Beautiful puppy!

spiral · 10th June 2007, 11:45 PM

Nice peace.

I would say yes, so it could be handled, with a nice match, if glued & not riveted.

What does the back of the agate slab look like? Was it the first handle this Yataghan had? The rivets in tang look like an old handle was removed & rivets cut off?

I have never owned one of these but for some reason I though Afghani grip.

Spiral

Rick · 11th June 2007, 02:21 AM

I agree Spiral; it looks like one of the Khyber hilt variants .

BTW, your PM box is full; pls empty it.

spiral · 11th June 2007, 02:55 AM

Thanks Rick, Inbox cleared.

Spiral

ALEX · 12th June 2007, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

...Questions:
- Any ideas of the origin? European?
- Should I order a second panel ( also agate, of course) to make it complete?

Ariel, I noticed a similarity in the form/shape of the handle in this North African?Algerian Yataghan. Just an observation though.

http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=2635

I'd definitely order a second part of the handle:-) Really nice find Ariel.

ward · 12th June 2007, 09:07 AM

Its Algerian or Tunisian. bunch of them in Danish museums captured early 19th century from corsairs or gifts from rulers

Ward

Andrew · 12th June 2007, 04:50 PM

Outstanding, Ariel! Congrats.

I'd definitely get that scale replaced.

By the way, this level of decoration definitely doesn't fit in with the "old soldier" theme of your collection.

Jens Nordlunde · 12th June 2007, 05:34 PM

Congratulations Ariel well done.

Ward tells us that there are a bunch of them in Danish museums – there may be, but I have not seen them, however in the book Ethnographic Objects in The Royal Danish Kunstkammer 1650-1800, page 84 #Emb60a there is one. Although the hilt is of metal, the form is very much like the one you show. It is dated 1753, Tunis.

Valjhun · 12th June 2007, 07:03 PM

Maghrib... of course. More precisely, I would point my finger towards Algeria. Those type of floral decoration is most often seen on Algerian Kabyle gun locks.

ASTONISHING PIECE, Sensei

Certainly one of those, a Bey wold be wearing.

Worth of restoration to its full beauty.

Where have you bought it? Ebay? Wold you mind posting a link?

I missed thatone

Lucky you, it would be a harsh duel....

9th June 2007, 10:22 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	New yataghan: Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus! Just got this one. Very unusual: agate Karabela-like handle with 3 tourmalines in gold ( one) and silver ( the other two) frames. The panel is separated from the tang and there is some old crumbly and black adhesive. The other panel is missing. The strap decor looks to me European. The blade had a lot of superficial rust. Upon removing it, I could not find any markings but was struck by the structure of the blade. I quickly polished and etched it: WOOTZ!!! Questions: - Any ideas of the origin? European? - Should I order a second panel ( also agate, of course) to make it complete? Attached Images

10th June 2007, 12:21 AM	#2
mavi1970 Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canada Posts: 90	well done, i also was bidding on this one, origin is open for discussion, but being wootz and such a nice sword... great purchase

10th June 2007, 09:03 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,220	It might be hard but I say YES to matching the size and type of agate and complete restoration of the other half. IT is worth it. Beautiful puppy!

10th June 2007, 11:45 PM	#4
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Nice peace. I would say yes, so it could be handled, with a nice match, if glued & not riveted. What does the back of the agate slab look like? Was it the first handle this Yataghan had? The rivets in tang look like an old handle was removed & rivets cut off? I have never owned one of these but for some reason I though Afghani grip. Spiral

11th June 2007, 02:21 AM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	I agree Spiral; it looks like one of the Khyber hilt variants . BTW, your PM box is full; pls empty it.

11th June 2007, 02:55 AM	#6
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Thanks Rick, Inbox cleared. Spiral

12th June 2007, 09:07 AM	#8
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	Its Algerian or Tunisian. bunch of them in Danish museums captured early 19th century from corsairs or gifts from rulers Ward

12th June 2007, 04:50 PM	#9
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Outstanding, Ariel! Congrats. I'd definitely get that scale replaced. By the way, this level of decoration definitely doesn't fit in with the "old soldier" theme of your collection.

12th June 2007, 05:34 PM	#10
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Congratulations Ariel well done. Ward tells us that there are a bunch of them in Danish museums – there may be, but I have not seen them, however in the book Ethnographic Objects in The Royal Danish Kunstkammer 1650-1800, page 84 #Emb60a there is one. Although the hilt is of metal, the form is very much like the one you show. It is dated 1753, Tunis.

12th June 2007, 07:03 PM	#11
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	Maghrib... of course. More precisely, I would point my finger towards Algeria. Those type of floral decoration is most often seen on Algerian Kabyle gun locks. ASTONISHING PIECE, Sensei Certainly one of those, a Bey wold be wearing. Worth of restoration to its full beauty. Where have you bought it? Ebay? Wold you mind posting a link? I missed thatone Lucky you, it would be a harsh duel....