On the subject of Arab sabres...

Jim McDougall · 29th May 2009, 09:22 PM

As extremely well noted here, this is likely relatively recent remount in Southern Arabian style as noted by Michael (I'm glad to see you in on these Arabian sabres Michael

) and in Yemeni style.
As David has well noted, this blade does look like one of the Solingen produced blades for Abyssinia in the early 20th century, often mounted on shotel and gurade. It seems many of these swords with this style mount and decoration occur in Yemen in the early 20th century and with British presence in the Gulf of Aden there were many of these weapons acquired as souveniers.

I believe that the scabbard style, as well as the silver banding, is a Hadhramati style favored from the latter 18th century on the sa'if's that were often produced in Hyderabad. It does seem that it has been suggested over the years that the wrapped silver bands around scabbard were a Bukharen feature, but I am more familiar with it on these Hadhramaut and Yemen swords.
Since Persian influence was key in Bukhara, and was of key preference in Arabia in weapons, that seems quite in line though.

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29th May 2009, 09:22 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	As extremely well noted here, this is likely relatively recent remount in Southern Arabian style as noted by Michael (I'm glad to see you in on these Arabian sabres Michael ) and in Yemeni style. As David has well noted, this blade does look like one of the Solingen produced blades for Abyssinia in the early 20th century, often mounted on shotel and gurade. It seems many of these swords with this style mount and decoration occur in Yemen in the early 20th century and with British presence in the Gulf of Aden there were many of these weapons acquired as souveniers. I believe that the scabbard style, as well as the silver banding, is a Hadhramati style favored from the latter 18th century on the sa'if's that were often produced in Hyderabad. It does seem that it has been suggested over the years that the wrapped silver bands around scabbard were a Bukharen feature, but I am more familiar with it on these Hadhramaut and Yemen swords. Since Persian influence was key in Bukhara, and was of key preference in Arabia in weapons, that seems quite in line though.