Small Ottoman? Persian? Kard.

Norman McCormick · 27th June 2017, 10:14 PM

Hi,
This Kard seems particularly small 7 5/8ths inches overall with a 4 inch blade and 9 inches with sheath and knife together. White metal sheath and hilt, might be some type of silver alloy. Gold work on the blade but unfortunately the calligraphy part is nigh on impossible to read as it is quite degraded. I have seen a similar item on Oriental Arms website but it was a while ago and I've lost the link. Was this intended for a child? Was it for a scribe? All info gratefully received.
Regards,
Norman.

YataganMan · 27th June 2017, 11:04 PM

This little knife is Ottoman/Turkish ,they were produced for the girls in the hareem for self protection its size enabled the owner to conceal it under her clothing.The white metal was widely used at that time in the production of hilts and scabbards in lieu of silver cost of which was more affordable.

Battara · 28th June 2017, 03:11 AM

What a nice bichaq card!

I've noticed that many of these Balkan examples are quite small and not for children but worn by men like the Bosnian gentleman in the picture below.

kronckew · 28th June 2017, 08:34 AM

...local equivalent of a pocket knife

mariusgmioc · 28th June 2017, 10:47 AM

Very beautiful example of an Ottoman Bichaq from the Balcans (Bosnia?).

They come in a rather wide range of sizes. Yours can be for a boy but it still falls within the normal range of sizes.

Kubur · 28th June 2017, 11:20 AM

I'm very suspicious about your kard or bichaq.
In red, Ottoman Balkans features, no explanations needed.
In green, Indian features:
the flowers design
the fact that the scabbard tip is in one piece, on the Ottoman examples it's another part.
The mid part of the knife is very Indian to me.
Finaly this knife is an excellent condition.
Someone knows if Indians are doing copies of Ottoman weapons??
I just ask...

Norman McCormick · 28th June 2017, 11:22 AM

Thanks guys for your insight and comments.
Regards,
Norman.

estcrh · 28th June 2017, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kubur

Finaly this knife is an excellent condition.
Someone knows if Indians are doing copies of Ottoman weapons??
I just ask...

They can and have copied a wide range of weapons and armor. I always look for signs of wear, there should always be some wear on an old blade and scabbard. I have seen quite a few with beautiful gold work that looks like it was applied yesterday, not a hundred years ago, as beautiful as they are I pass for more used looking weapons with no doubt of authenticity.

Norman McCormick · 29th June 2017, 01:06 PM

Thanks guys questions answered

I will look into the pattern welded/wootz thing and let you know. Thanks to all who contributed to the discussion.
My Regards,
Norman.

27th June 2017, 10:14 PM	#1
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,597	Small Ottoman? Persian? Kard. Hi, This Kard seems particularly small 7 5/8ths inches overall with a 4 inch blade and 9 inches with sheath and knife together. White metal sheath and hilt, might be some type of silver alloy. Gold work on the blade but unfortunately the calligraphy part is nigh on impossible to read as it is quite degraded. I have seen a similar item on Oriental Arms website but it was a while ago and I've lost the link. Was this intended for a child? Was it for a scribe? All info gratefully received. Regards, Norman. Attached Images

27th June 2017, 11:04 PM	#2
YataganMan Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 14	Knives for ladies This little knife is Ottoman/Turkish ,they were produced for the girls in the hareem for self protection its size enabled the owner to conceal it under her clothing.The white metal was widely used at that time in the production of hilts and scabbards in lieu of silver cost of which was more affordable.

28th June 2017, 03:11 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	What a nice bichaq card! I've noticed that many of these Balkan examples are quite small and not for children but worn by men like the Bosnian gentleman in the picture below. Attached Images

28th June 2017, 11:20 AM	#6
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	I'm very suspicious about your kard or bichaq. In red, Ottoman Balkans features, no explanations needed. In green, Indian features: the flowers design the fact that the scabbard tip is in one piece, on the Ottoman examples it's another part. The mid part of the knife is very Indian to me. Finaly this knife is an excellent condition. Someone knows if Indians are doing copies of Ottoman weapons?? I just ask... Attached Images

28th June 2017, 08:34 AM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,183	...local equivalent of a pocket knife

28th June 2017, 10:47 AM	#5
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,903	Very beautiful example of an Ottoman Bichaq from the Balcans (Bosnia?). They come in a rather wide range of sizes. Yours can be for a boy but it still falls within the normal range of sizes.

28th June 2017, 11:22 AM	#7
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,597	Thanks guys for your insight and comments. Regards, Norman.

29th June 2017, 01:06 PM	#9
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,597	Thanks guys questions answered I will look into the pattern welded/wootz thing and let you know. Thanks to all who contributed to the discussion. My Regards, Norman.