A Unique European Hunting Sword With an Indo-Persian Wootz Blade

CharlesS · 18th May 2018, 04:12 PM

I have seen European hunting swords with "damascus" blades before, but have never seen one with a wootz blade, and an Islamic cartouche in addition. The blade here is of quality wootz, and I no reason to believe it is a cut-down sword...perhaps someone can convince me otherwise.

I know nothing of European swords, much less European hunting swords, so I am trying to learn a few things about this one. Its hilt is stag horn with steel mounts, including the common shell style guard. Is it a custom made sword in a certain European form(ie. German)? Is it more likely to be a Persian or Indian sword, simply mimicking European styles? Looking forward to hearing opinions!

Can anyone translate the cartouche?

Battara · 19th May 2018, 12:23 AM

What great wootz!

Miguel · 19th May 2018, 08:22 PM

I agree with Battara, beautiful Wooten. The hilt and quillons seem plain for such a blade. I think that I can make out a date in tha bottom cartouche but the gold on the second number in the bottom left hand corner is worn and I am guessing that it is a 2. I make the date AH 1221 which equates to AD 1806 which seems about right for the sword. Others with better eyesight than me may disagree sorry I can't offer any more and thanks for posting.
Regards
Miguel

CharlesS · 20th May 2018, 05:50 PM

Thanks guys!

Miguel, thanks especially for your translation.

eftihis · 20th May 2018, 07:22 PM

To me, the second digit on the date looks like "o" That gives a date of 1021 islamic, ie 1612, which looks much more likely for such a quality blade. Also, the second digit cannot be a "worn two" because even if it was, the remaining lines
do not correspond with the shape of the other "2" on the right.

AJ1356 · 20th May 2018, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eftihis

To me, the second digit on the date looks like "o" That gives a date of 1021 islamic, ie 1612, which looks much more likely for such a quality blade. Also, the second digit cannot be a "worn two" because even if it was, the remaining lines
do not correspond with the shape of the other "2" on the right.

I agree the date reads 1021 very clearly.
the rest says, Servant of Shah e Welaayet (Imam Ali the first Imam and the fourth Caliph) Abbas. This is the correct reading of this type of seal, I believe I have explained this elsewhere.
The bottom seal reads, Work of Kalb Ali ibn e Assad.

Very nice blade, the patterns is beautiful.

Roland_M · 24th May 2018, 12:00 PM

Congratulations to a very beautiful hunting sword.

As far as I can judge from the pictures, the pattern becomes finer close to the edge as a result of elaborate hammering to increase the quality of the blade.
Even close to the point the pattern becomes narrow. So I dont think this blade is a shortened whatever.

It is imho a British or French hunting sword and probably a contract work for a British or French citizen, which lived in India or Iran. Or maybe a present to an European officer or so.

I own an Indian Tulwar with a pipeback-blade oriented on a British pattern from early 19th ct.. So it was not too unusual for Indian and even Iranian smiths to make European edged weapons from wootz.

If I remember correctly, Kalib Ali is the son of the very famous Assadallah and in this case your sword is a magnificent one. But he lived to early to make a hunting sword in shape of a German deer catcher and all of his longswords I know are curved.

Roland

18th May 2018, 04:12 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	A Unique European Hunting Sword With an Indo-Persian Wootz Blade I have seen European hunting swords with "damascus" blades before, but have never seen one with a wootz blade, and an Islamic cartouche in addition. The blade here is of quality wootz, and I no reason to believe it is a cut-down sword...perhaps someone can convince me otherwise. I know nothing of European swords, much less European hunting swords, so I am trying to learn a few things about this one. Its hilt is stag horn with steel mounts, including the common shell style guard. Is it a custom made sword in a certain European form(ie. German)? Is it more likely to be a Persian or Indian sword, simply mimicking European styles? Looking forward to hearing opinions! Can anyone translate the cartouche? Attached Images

19th May 2018, 12:23 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	What great wootz!

19th May 2018, 08:22 PM	#3
Miguel Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 584	I agree with Battara, beautiful Wooten. The hilt and quillons seem plain for such a blade. I think that I can make out a date in tha bottom cartouche but the gold on the second number in the bottom left hand corner is worn and I am guessing that it is a 2. I make the date AH 1221 which equates to AD 1806 which seems about right for the sword. Others with better eyesight than me may disagree sorry I can't offer any more and thanks for posting. Regards Miguel

20th May 2018, 05:50 PM	#4
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Thanks guys! Miguel, thanks especially for your translation.

20th May 2018, 07:22 PM	#5
eftihis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chania Crete Greece Posts: 507	To me, the second digit on the date looks like "o" That gives a date of 1021 islamic, ie 1612, which looks much more likely for such a quality blade. Also, the second digit cannot be a "worn two" because even if it was, the remaining lines do not correspond with the shape of the other "2" on the right.

24th May 2018, 12:00 PM	#7
Roland_M Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Germany Posts: 525	Congratulations to a very beautiful hunting sword. As far as I can judge from the pictures, the pattern becomes finer close to the edge as a result of elaborate hammering to increase the quality of the blade. Even close to the point the pattern becomes narrow. So I dont think this blade is a shortened whatever. It is imho a British or French hunting sword and probably a contract work for a British or French citizen, which lived in India or Iran. Or maybe a present to an European officer or so. I own an Indian Tulwar with a pipeback-blade oriented on a British pattern from early 19th ct.. So it was not too unusual for Indian and even Iranian smiths to make European edged weapons from wootz. If I remember correctly, Kalib Ali is the son of the very famous Assadallah and in this case your sword is a magnificent one. But he lived to early to make a hunting sword in shape of a German deer catcher and all of his longswords I know are curved. Roland