Possible origins of the yataghan hilt form

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Kubur

Hi Jim

For the blade shape don't forget the Greek kopis.

For the hilt, well I'm sure that it is Eastern, look at the shashqa and the Afghan chura knife. So i vote for your bronze eastern daggers.

But I'm not a specialist like the experts on this forum!!

Dont underestimate yourself Kubur! I follow your posts and know better

Exactly right, the kopis was definitely a root form for many eastern blades, and the Ottomans had variations of it in use for many centuries before these distinct hilts came into being. It seems that the term 'yataghan' has become interchangable for the hilt and blade shape in many cases, often of course misapplied.

Good points on the Afghan knife (commonly termed choora but that is another debate) and the shashka. It is tempting to consider the same influences I have described here as possible sources, whether indeed ancient (Iran) or the Renaissance European forms through trade.

The only thing about the bronze daggers is that they do not appear to have been forms which remained in use in a linear fashion, and the long gap in time between them and the European (or Ottoman) types is considerable.
Archaeology is a relatively new science so 'ancient' examples were not known..unless through iconographic sources.
That would mean the eared form from Eastern provenance would represent some 'revival' or commemorative traditional inspiration.

But, we know that has many times been the case, so your well reasoned position is well placed.

Thank you Kubur.