Tatar sword - 'flyssa like'

[Emanuel]

Hi Jens!

In this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=3781 Ariel presented these as 17th century Circassian swords - akin to the Tartar ordynka. The running theory relating these to the flyssa is that Circassian troups were part of the Ottoman forces stationed in Algeria. Through conflict and trade, the form of their sabres would have exerted influence upon Berber weapons, leading to the development of the flyssa.

I have my reservations towards this argument, mainly based upon the small amount of interaction between Ottomans and Berbers (specifically Kabyles) who maintained an independent kingdom at Annaba, but it's nonetheless convincing. At this point the most acceptable theory is indeed that Ottoman weapons - be they yataghan or Circassian sabres - are the main sources for the flyssa. My goal - in time - is to try to demonstrate that the flyssa developed independently. If that's not possible, then the present theory will hold

Emanuel