New artifact: Falcata? Shamshir? Karabela?

Revelsofthedead · 24th August 2005, 08:21 PM

Hey all-

Any information, translation, or history about this type of weapon would be appreciated. A full gallery of the sword (with larger image sizes) can be found here. What interests me is the odd pommel. I'm guessing that this is a horseman's sword and the pommel rested along the wrist to provide balance and extra support for the shock of a hit. Also, I plead ignorance when it comes to Arabic, and offer apologies if the images of the inscription are upside down.

Thanks in advance for your expertise. Images to follow:

Ian · 24th August 2005, 08:37 PM

Hi Revels and welcome to the EEWRS Forum.

What you have is a yataghan with a somewhat unusual hilt. Others here will be able to give you the particular nationality/ethnic group from which this one originated, and can translate the arabic inscription for you.

The yataghan, with its recurved blade, is a chopping weapon used mainly by foot soldiers.

Ian.

Rick · 24th August 2005, 08:38 PM

A 'T' hilted Yataghan .
Ottoman Empire mid-late 19thc.
Yes , the script is most likely upside down .

Often carried by Janissary troops .

(beat me to it Ian

)

Aqtai · 24th August 2005, 08:49 PM

The script is the right way up, it's just too small too read.

Edit:
It's Arabic script, but I can't read it, so I'm guessing the inscription is in Turkish or Persian.

ham · 24th August 2005, 10:18 PM

Gentlemen,
For reasons I have never been able to establish, Turkish museums and collectors refer to these as policeman's yatagans. This is a typical example: broad, straight ears, long blade of sinuous form and relatively even curvature with abbreviated reinforces at the forte. Have seen one or two with pattern-welded blades as well. They are rarely elaborately mounted.

Sincerely,

Ham

ariel · 25th August 2005, 02:48 AM

This simple yataghan is likely to come from Eastern Anatolia or neaby lands that were formerly a part of the Ottoman Empire: Syria, Western Iraq etc. For some reasons, they favoured T-handled Yataghans, just like the Balkan nations prefered Yataghans with massive and elaborate ivory/horn grips and corals. Yataghans from Turkey proper mostly had rather small ears and Greeks liked handles with indentations for fingers.
De gustibus non disputandum (no arguing about the taste).

24th August 2005, 08:21 PM	#1
Revelsofthedead Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1	New artifact: Falcata? Shamshir? Karabela? Hey all- Any information, translation, or history about this type of weapon would be appreciated. A full gallery of the sword (with larger image sizes) can be found here. What interests me is the odd pommel. I'm guessing that this is a horseman's sword and the pommel rested along the wrist to provide balance and extra support for the shock of a hit. Also, I plead ignorance when it comes to Arabic, and offer apologies if the images of the inscription are upside down. Thanks in advance for your expertise. Images to follow: Attached Images

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24th August 2005, 08:37 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,513	Hi Revels and welcome to the EEWRS Forum. What you have is a yataghan with a somewhat unusual hilt. Others here will be able to give you the particular nationality/ethnic group from which this one originated, and can translate the arabic inscription for you. The yataghan, with its recurved blade, is a chopping weapon used mainly by foot soldiers. Ian.

24th August 2005, 08:38 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	A 'T' hilted Yataghan . Ottoman Empire mid-late 19thc. Yes , the script is most likely upside down . Often carried by Janissary troops . (beat me to it Ian )

24th August 2005, 08:49 PM	#4
Aqtai Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Merseyside, UK Posts: 222	The script is the right way up, it's just too small too read. Edit: It's Arabic script, but I can't read it, so I'm guessing the inscription is in Turkish or Persian.

24th August 2005, 10:18 PM	#5
ham Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 190	Gentlemen, For reasons I have never been able to establish, Turkish museums and collectors refer to these as policeman's yatagans. This is a typical example: broad, straight ears, long blade of sinuous form and relatively even curvature with abbreviated reinforces at the forte. Have seen one or two with pattern-welded blades as well. They are rarely elaborately mounted. Sincerely, Ham

25th August 2005, 02:48 AM	#6
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	This simple yataghan is likely to come from Eastern Anatolia or neaby lands that were formerly a part of the Ottoman Empire: Syria, Western Iraq etc. For some reasons, they favoured T-handled Yataghans, just like the Balkan nations prefered Yataghans with massive and elaborate ivory/horn grips and corals. Yataghans from Turkey proper mostly had rather small ears and Greeks liked handles with indentations for fingers. De gustibus non disputandum (no arguing about the taste).