Bedouin? Saber

[RobT]

Happy New Year All,

I am posting this allegedly Bedouin saber to see if its features will serve to confirm that it is indeed Bedouin and because the sheath has a rather unexpected binding. The blade is 28.25" long with 2 fullers (Montmornecy style). On both sides of the blade near the hilt is scribed a sun and a striking bird (either a raptor or gamecock). The hilt scales are cow horn and are attached to the tang with 5 steel rivets (2 are mostly hidden by the guard and pommel bands). The 3 fully exposed rivets were originally surrounded by brass panels (on both sides) but now only remnants of the brass remain. Brass bands encircle the guard and the grip but the pommel band is copper. A handwritten (apparently in magic marker) inscription on the back of the sheath throat says, "3/16/71 Bedouin Sword Presented to Cody by". The sheath is wood covered with what appears to be reptile hide. It has a brass chape and throat. There are also 2 brass bands (one of which has been soldered to the throat. Large amounts of solder on the bands (on the convex side) indicate that suspension devices were once present). The REALLY odd feature is that the hide has been stitched together with spirals of metal wire (apparently copper) as I have seen done on kinjals. A few people have commented that the sword has a shashka look about it.

Sincerely,
RobT