A Saudia-Yemeni Sword.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 27th August 2013, 08:48 PM

A Saudia - Yemeni Sword.

Salaams All,

A lot of swords are flooding onto the Omani market in both Muscat and Salalah (I was there last week and obtained 4 out of 5 of the swords below) in the category not yet so well defined of Saudia Yemeni variant already discussed. It is generally thought that these weapons were originally Ethiopian with Rhino hilts and the hilts once they had arrived in Yemen were transferred to Jambia... and the rougher basic hilt as at pictures was added. The hilts do seem to be attributed to a style in Yemeni and Saudia Museums although as note ..perhaps somewhat roughly engineered.
The blades are variously German 19th C and or locally made in the Ethiopian style. Where they clearly originate from German manufacturers like Luckhause und Gunter they are decorated in the throat with the lion and banner motiff often very worn and with only a few tell tale squigles remaining.
The blades are quite heavy and some are reasonably flexible and with rounded tips done here (i.e.not done in Germany)

One weapon is single edged, straight (possibly straightened?) and of good quality steel. The hilt in that case is leather covered.

Another carries the local 3 moons and stars mark to both sides of the blade.
That blade has a dot at the tip on both sides.

Here are the 5 weapons.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 31st August 2013, 06:32 PM

Salaams all Note to Forum; The previous post underlines the now known route of such blades; many originally German/European sold to Ethiopia thence to Yemen(Sanaa) and on to Salalah and Mutrah Souks which have appeared spuriously on Omani long hilts and sold to visitors/tourists as Omani swords. It is difficult to know where to slot this mixed up weapon since it is not of the family Omani Battle Sword nor is it an Omani Dancing Sword (The Straight Sayf).

It is however placed here for reference and carries the warning that an Omani long hilted straight sword with a blade that is not flexible must immediately be looked at as a potential fake and likely to be mismatched from a Red Sea variant.

Workshop in Muttrah have been identified as having created probably thousands of such mix ups since 1970. Many workshops are defunct but some remain. None of these swords appear to be absorbed into the Omani local market because;

"the dancing sword must be a certain style and able to bend often almost double since that is the criteria for the 1744 flexible dancing style continuing to be made locally today in Ras al Khaimah and Salalah and pre 1970 by wandering gypsy groups all over Oman".

I have included this post on Omani Dancing Swords... so that library is correctly served.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 28th September 2013, 05:24 PM

Salaams all ~Note to Library

An interesting parallel on this Mahdist Dagger?

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Iain · 28th September 2013, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams all ~Note to Library

An interesting parallel on this Mahdist Dagger?

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

That's a modern Tuareg tourist dagger...

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 28th September 2013, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iain

That's a modern Tuareg tourist dagger...

Salaams Iain,
Rather supports my theory of the recent hilts shown at # 1. I recall the pamphlet description on the dagger as being of 1882 vintage in line with the start of the Madhist Wars, however, a later date ... indeed modern is in keeping with the arguement of these blades being played with in backstreet workshops probably in Yemen ...
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Iain · 28th September 2013, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams Iain,
Rather supports my theory of the recent hilts shown at # 1. I recall the pamphlet description on the dagger as being of 1882 vintage in line with the start of the Madhist Wars, however, a later date ... indeed modern is in keeping with the arguement of these blades being played with in backstreet workshops probably in Yemen ...
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Bit of a geographical distance to start seeing any association I think...

27th August 2013, 08:48 PM	#1
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	A Saudia-Yemeni Sword. A Saudia - Yemeni Sword. Salaams All, A lot of swords are flooding onto the Omani market in both Muscat and Salalah (I was there last week and obtained 4 out of 5 of the swords below) in the category not yet so well defined of Saudia Yemeni variant already discussed. It is generally thought that these weapons were originally Ethiopian with Rhino hilts and the hilts once they had arrived in Yemen were transferred to Jambia... and the rougher basic hilt as at pictures was added. The hilts do seem to be attributed to a style in Yemeni and Saudia Museums although as note ..perhaps somewhat roughly engineered. The blades are variously German 19th C and or locally made in the Ethiopian style. Where they clearly originate from German manufacturers like Luckhause und Gunter they are decorated in the throat with the lion and banner motiff often very worn and with only a few tell tale squigles remaining. The blades are quite heavy and some are reasonably flexible and with rounded tips done here (i.e.not done in Germany) One weapon is single edged, straight (possibly straightened?) and of good quality steel. The hilt in that case is leather covered. Another carries the local 3 moons and stars mark to both sides of the blade. That blade has a dot at the tip on both sides. Here are the 5 weapons. Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. Attached Images

28th September 2013, 05:24 PM	#3
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Salaams all ~Note to Library An interesting parallel on this Mahdist Dagger? Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. Attached Images

31st August 2013, 06:32 PM	#2
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Salaams all Note to Forum; The previous post underlines the now known route of such blades; many originally German/European sold to Ethiopia thence to Yemen(Sanaa) and on to Salalah and Mutrah Souks which have appeared spuriously on Omani long hilts and sold to visitors/tourists as Omani swords. It is difficult to know where to slot this mixed up weapon since it is not of the family Omani Battle Sword nor is it an Omani Dancing Sword (The Straight Sayf). It is however placed here for reference and carries the warning that an Omani long hilted straight sword with a blade that is not flexible must immediately be looked at as a potential fake and likely to be mismatched from a Red Sea variant. Workshop in Muttrah have been identified as having created probably thousands of such mix ups since 1970. Many workshops are defunct but some remain. None of these swords appear to be absorbed into the Omani local market because; "the dancing sword must be a certain style and able to bend often almost double since that is the criteria for the 1744 flexible dancing style continuing to be made locally today in Ras al Khaimah and Salalah and pre 1970 by wandering gypsy groups all over Oman". I have included this post on Omani Dancing Swords... so that library is correctly served. Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi.