Omani Shamshir

TVV · 7th October 2022, 05:25 AM

It took me a while to acquire one, but I was finally able to with the help of a friend, to whom I am very grateful. I can finally claim that I have collected all the major types of Omani/Zanzibari swords. The nimchas fascinate me the most, but shamshirs seem to have been reserved for some of the highest ranking members of society in Oman, Zanzibar and the Comoros, such as royals and grand viziers.

francantolin · 7th October 2022, 10:33 AM

Congratulations !
Marvellous collection !!
Glad if you share some pictures of the others...
( nimcha or old straight model )

A.alnakkas · 7th October 2022, 04:24 PM

Excellent photography, Theo. It went to a good home. Also would love to see more of your Omani collection!

TVV · 7th October 2022, 05:44 PM

I am glad you like my little grouping. I will post a thread on the nimchas where I will go over them in more detail. The kattara and the straight saifs I have posted on this forum before, sometimes with unintended consequences resulting in very long threads with some controversy.

Back on the subject of Omani shamshirs, here is a side by side comparison with a typical Persian hilt to show some of the differences:
- Some minor crossguard differences;
- The twisted wire wrap with the characteristic knot;
- The Persian pommel cap is cylindrical, short and generally not decorated, while the Omani pommel cap is conical, slightly longer and often decorated - the 6-petal flower motif is found on all kinds of Omani sword fittings.

Regards,
Teo

werecow · 7th October 2022, 06:19 PM

Lovely collection. I have one of the straight bladed nimcha / saif, and it's one of my favorite swords to hold. I'd also love to find myself one of those "battle swords" some day.

Are the knot on the grip and this type of blade specific to Oman? I've seen at least one of those before but it was listed as Russian and it had a more typical Persian looking shamshir blade IIRC.

TVV · 10th October 2022, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by werecow

Are the knot on the grip and this type of blade specific to Oman? I've seen at least one of those before but it was listed as Russian and it had a more typical Persian looking shamshir blade IIRC.

The knot in my experience is characteristic of Oman and the Omani sphere of influence, spanning along the Eastern African coastline down to the Comoros. However, every example has to be evaluated based on the entirety of its dress, also taking in consideration the pommel cap and the scabbard fittings.

Martin Lubojacky · 11th October 2022, 07:15 PM

Hi TVV, This is a sword I bought 17 years ago on oriental-arms, where it was described as "most probably from the Arabian peninsula and one of the execution sword style". Then, I also read somewhere that when the pommel of the hilt is only "slightly" curved, the sword is from the south of the Arabian Peninsula and when it is sharply curved, it is from the north - but I'm not sure. So - is it FOR SURE it is comming from Oman, or from its sphere of influence?
I'm attaching old photos (I didn't take new ones).
Martin

ASPaulding · 11th October 2022, 07:30 PM

May I get your thoughts on mine to. I particularly curious about the age. I just got mine last weekend. Thank you

TVV · 11th October 2022, 08:18 PM

Martin, everything on your beautiful sword suggests an Oman/East Africa coast origin (these were also quite popular in the Comoros based on surviving photos). Thank you for sharing the detailed pictures.

ASPaulding, congratulations on your classic Persian shamshir with a wootz blade. I do not have the expertise to tell you whether this is an 18th or 19th century blade, but it is undoubtedly a nice antique sword.

Teo

ariel · 31st October 2022, 04:39 AM

Teodor,
Marvelous collection!
I have only one comment: if you include Zanzibari swords because Zanzibar was governed by Oman, you may still need to add a Baluch shamshir for completion.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...uchistan+sword
Baluchistan belonged to Oman for a long time and was sold to Pakistan only in the 1950s.
I remember we had a long and detailed discussion about Baluch shamshirs, but I could not find it and had to show just mine.
Persian blade, "Indian" pommel with classical Baluch ring and silver wire wrapping of the upper languet ( regretfully, no Omani knot).

TVV · 31st October 2022, 08:48 PM

Thank you Ariel. My interest is in African Islamic Arms, and so my emphasis is on Zanzibar and the Comoros, with Omani weapons included based on the huge Omani influence in this part of the world at the time. There were Baluchi warriors in East Africa, who probably brought their weapons with them, but the hard question is always where does one draw the line trying to stay within a specific collecting theme.

7th October 2022, 05:25 AM	#1
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,621	Omani Shamshir It took me a while to acquire one, but I was finally able to with the help of a friend, to whom I am very grateful. I can finally claim that I have collected all the major types of Omani/Zanzibari swords. The nimchas fascinate me the most, but shamshirs seem to have been reserved for some of the highest ranking members of society in Oman, Zanzibar and the Comoros, such as royals and grand viziers. Attached Images

7th October 2022, 05:44 PM	#4
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,621	I am glad you like my little grouping. I will post a thread on the nimchas where I will go over them in more detail. The kattara and the straight saifs I have posted on this forum before, sometimes with unintended consequences resulting in very long threads with some controversy. Back on the subject of Omani shamshirs, here is a side by side comparison with a typical Persian hilt to show some of the differences: - Some minor crossguard differences; - The twisted wire wrap with the characteristic knot; - The Persian pommel cap is cylindrical, short and generally not decorated, while the Omani pommel cap is conical, slightly longer and often decorated - the 6-petal flower motif is found on all kinds of Omani sword fittings. Regards, Teo Attached Images

11th October 2022, 07:15 PM	#7
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 841	Hi TVV, This is a sword I bought 17 years ago on oriental-arms, where it was described as "most probably from the Arabian peninsula and one of the execution sword style". Then, I also read somewhere that when the pommel of the hilt is only "slightly" curved, the sword is from the south of the Arabian Peninsula and when it is sharply curved, it is from the north - but I'm not sure. So - is it FOR SURE it is comming from Oman, or from its sphere of influence? I'm attaching old photos (I didn't take new ones). Martin Attached Images

11th October 2022, 07:30 PM	#8
ASPaulding Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Posts: 84	May I get your thoughts on mine to. I particularly curious about the age. I just got mine last weekend. Thank you Attached Images

7th October 2022, 10:33 AM	#2
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 876	Congratulations ! Marvellous collection !! Glad if you share some pictures of the others... ( nimcha or old straight model )

7th October 2022, 04:24 PM	#3
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	Excellent photography, Theo. It went to a good home. Also would love to see more of your Omani collection!

7th October 2022, 06:19 PM	#5
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 497	Lovely collection. I have one of the straight bladed nimcha / saif, and it's one of my favorite swords to hold. I'd also love to find myself one of those "battle swords" some day. Are the knot on the grip and this type of blade specific to Oman? I've seen at least one of those before but it was listed as Russian and it had a more typical Persian looking shamshir blade IIRC.

11th October 2022, 08:18 PM	#9
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,621	Martin, everything on your beautiful sword suggests an Oman/East Africa coast origin (these were also quite popular in the Comoros based on surviving photos). Thank you for sharing the detailed pictures. ASPaulding, congratulations on your classic Persian shamshir with a wootz blade. I do not have the expertise to tell you whether this is an 18th or 19th century blade, but it is undoubtedly a nice antique sword. Teo

31st October 2022, 04:39 AM	#10
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Teodor, Marvelous collection! I have only one comment: if you include Zanzibari swords because Zanzibar was governed by Oman, you may still need to add a Baluch shamshir for completion. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...uchistan+sword Baluchistan belonged to Oman for a long time and was sold to Pakistan only in the 1950s. I remember we had a long and detailed discussion about Baluch shamshirs, but I could not find it and had to show just mine. Persian blade, "Indian" pommel with classical Baluch ring and silver wire wrapping of the upper languet ( regretfully, no Omani knot).

31st October 2022, 08:48 PM	#11
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,621	Thank you Ariel. My interest is in African Islamic Arms, and so my emphasis is on Zanzibar and the Comoros, with Omani weapons included based on the huge Omani influence in this part of the world at the time. There were Baluchi warriors in East Africa, who probably brought their weapons with them, but the hard question is always where does one draw the line trying to stay within a specific collecting theme.