The Omani Shamshiir.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams All...I went searching for Omani Shamshir of any description perhaps presented to visitors or whatever.. and found this peculiar double presentation of a Yatagan and a Shamshir...to the same person. and Described by the Auctioneer Thomas Del Mar (hammer price recieved) as...

Quote"THE GILT-BRASS MOUNTED SHAMSHIR PRESENTED TO
SIR CORNWALLIS RICKETTS BY THE IMAM OF MUSCAT
AND SULTAN OF ZANZIBAR, CIRCA 1845.

With curved blade double-edged towards the point, etched
and gilt with celestial motifs within a panel over the forte
on each side (worn), gilt-brass hilt cast with scroll work
enclosing expanded flower heads in low relief, comprising
cross-piece with fluted terminals, a pair of langets, and
integral grip rising to the pommel, in its original leather
covered wooden scabbard, with large gilt-brass mounts
comprising locket and chape chased with flowers and
foliage and a pair of suspension mounts decorated with
masks in the French taste; together with
A TURKISH SILVER-GILT MOUNTED YATAGHAN, 19TH CENTURY".Unquote.

I have to say I found this very odd since it is a Shamshir but not in the Omani style but in the French... and presented to an Englishman!

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Viscouse]

Hello all. First post on this glorious venue.

I would like to introduce you to what I think can be a very close cousin to the Omani Shamshir. While not as curved as a shamshir, it is most decidedly not straight. The wrapping on the handle leads me to believe it is Omani.

I'm very eager to know if anyone can lend any expertise in telling me more about this blade. Extra credit goes to the lucky person who can translate, or even identify the language of, the writing on the scabbard.

Please forgive me for reviving this wonderfully aged thread, but I thought it was too close to the Omani Shamshir to start a new thread. If that is not the case I shall do so.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Viscouse

Hello all. First post on this glorious venue.

I would like to introduce you to what I think can be a very close cousin to the Omani Shamshir. While not as curved as a shamshir, it is most decidedly not straight. The wrapping on the handle leads me to believe it is Omani.

I'm very eager to know if anyone can lend any expertise in telling me more about this blade. Extra credit goes to the lucky person who can translate, or even identify the language of, the writing on the scabbard.

Please forgive me for reviving this wonderfully aged thread, but I thought it was too close to the Omani Shamshir to start a new thread. If that is not the case I shall do so.

Salaams Viscouse~ Perhaps you can't upload the picture... Just send it and Forum will apply it...or send it to me and I will float it in...Is the sword you have related to the weapons at http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ight=SHAMSHIIR

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Viscouse]

Will this work? It looks JUST LIKE that picture!

= link to pictures of writing
= link to pictures of sword

[Excalibur2025]

Hi all, I have an Omani shamshir that was found in Zanzibar.

I just wondered, is this thread still active and is Mr al Balooshi still available?

I am looking to get some additional information about the shamshir.

[kahnjar1]

Any Photos?

[Excalibur2025]

The sword was dug up from the earth (but not that deep - just below the surface).

We assume the grip would have been walrus ivory but it looks like the ivory has completely decomposed until there's nothing left. Does anyone know how long it would take walrus ivory to decompose in tropical conditions?

(I tried to post a photo but it wouldn't upload. I will try again later).

[Excalibur2025]

Photo of the hilt:

[kahnjar1]

Persian? Others will no doubt may have a better idea.

[Excalibur2025]

Yes, it's Persian, but most likely would have been owned by an Omani.

Just trying to figure out if the ivory blocks on the grip have been removed or decomposed while underground. We're looking at potentially more than four years in soil exposed to a tropical climate including heat and torrential rain in the rainy seasons.

[kahnjar1]

Not necessarily owned by an Omani. Many countries traded thru Zanzibar including the Omanis.
Why do you think that the grip was ivory? Could just as easily been bone or giraffe hoof, or for that matter a wood of some sort. If it was ivory (suggesting a high class owner) it would also point to the grip dressing being silver. From your photos it would appear that the grip is not silver.
Could you post a photo of the whole sword please.

[Jim McDougall]

As well noted by Kahnjar, Zanzibar was a key trade center in the 19th century and of course being an Omani sultanate, there were considerable numbers of the types of edged weapons commonly in use in Arabia in that context.

The Persian shamshir was a highly prized sword by Arabs throughout the Dar al Islam, so presence of this example in Zanzibar is not unusual. It seems unusual that the hilt material is gone as I thought bone, ivory etc. would survive in an archaeological deposit. More likely of course the ivory would have been taken for its value and the sword discarded.
By the same token, if the hilt was silver, that too would have been taken.

Always fascinating when any weapon is found in situ, and speculating how, when and why it ended up where found. Thank you for posting this!