Feather Pattern welded blade

rand · 14th August 2007, 06:18 AM

On right side of blade inlaid in gold is
"Made for Charles Forbes' (written in Farsi)

On the left side of the blade
"this sword is equal to the sword of the Great Ali"
(written in Arabic)

On the spine is the date
Dec 24, 1813 (1229)

Rampant lion inlaid on blade

Homogenous one piece hilt is a chevron pattern welded steel.

All decoration is inlaid in gold.

Blade is a single edged pattern welded feather.

pattern steel with has a clip point.

Blade length is 29 & 3/4".

Overall length is 34 & 1/4".

Crossguard is 5 & 1/4" wide.

Scabbard is wood covered with black leather.

Throat, chape and suspension ring mounts are copper reppoussee with gold gilt with European motifs.

Has two suspensions rings, the middle one a later addition during the time of use.

Throat has frog also.

rand · 14th August 2007, 06:19 AM

Charles Forbes Sword Photos...

rand · 14th August 2007, 06:24 AM

More Photo's of Forbes Sword...

rand · 14th August 2007, 06:26 AM

Mre pics of Forbes sword

rand · 14th August 2007, 06:27 AM

Another photo of Forbes sword

rand · 14th August 2007, 06:42 AM

Would be especially interested if anyone has information about Charles Forbes, as far as I know there were two Charles Forbes in India that were the right age to have owned this sword.

Because of the specific date it has been suggested a Christmas gift from his wife or a presentation from his regiment.

Has also been suggested the translation for " this sword is equal to the sword of the Great Ali", would be an arrogant saying for a smith to write and may be misinterpeted.

The suspension ring nearest the tip has been add during the period of use. The style for having a two suspension rings started about 1822 and suggests a long period of use for this sword.

rand

Jim McDougall · 14th August 2007, 06:54 AM

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

Mark · 15th August 2007, 01:54 PM

This sword is now being offered for sale. Forum guidelines prohibit discussion of items being sold. Thread closed until the sale is completed.

14th August 2007, 06:18 AM	#1
rand Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 538	Feather Pattern welded blade On right side of blade inlaid in gold is "Made for Charles Forbes' (written in Farsi) On the left side of the blade "this sword is equal to the sword of the Great Ali" (written in Arabic) On the spine is the date Dec 24, 1813 (1229) Rampant lion inlaid on blade Homogenous one piece hilt is a chevron pattern welded steel. All decoration is inlaid in gold. Blade is a single edged pattern welded feather. pattern steel with has a clip point. Blade length is 29 & 3/4". Overall length is 34 & 1/4". Crossguard is 5 & 1/4" wide. Scabbard is wood covered with black leather. Throat, chape and suspension ring mounts are copper reppoussee with gold gilt with European motifs. Has two suspensions rings, the middle one a later addition during the time of use. Throat has frog also. Attached Images

14th August 2007, 06:19 AM	#2
rand Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 538	Charles Forbes Sword Charles Forbes Sword Photos... Attached Images

14th August 2007, 06:24 AM	#3
rand Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 538	More Pics More Photo's of Forbes Sword... Attached Images

14th August 2007, 06:26 AM	#4
rand Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 538	More Pics Mre pics of Forbes sword Attached Images

14th August 2007, 06:27 AM	#5
rand Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 538	More Pics Another photo of Forbes sword Attached Images

14th August 2007, 06:42 AM	#6
rand Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 538	Charles Forbes sword Would be especially interested if anyone has information about Charles Forbes, as far as I know there were two Charles Forbes in India that were the right age to have owned this sword. Because of the specific date it has been suggested a Christmas gift from his wife or a presentation from his regiment. Has also been suggested the translation for " this sword is equal to the sword of the Great Ali", would be an arrogant saying for a smith to write and may be misinterpeted. The suspension ring nearest the tip has been add during the period of use. The style for having a two suspension rings started about 1822 and suggests a long period of use for this sword. rand

14th August 2007, 06:54 AM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,868	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

15th August 2007, 01:54 PM	#8
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	This sword is now being offered for sale. Forum guidelines prohibit discussion of items being sold. Thread closed until the sale is completed.