karabela

Aqtai · 3rd July 2005, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

Karabela ("eagle-head")was originally a Turkish sword , probably even named after Karabel (near Izmir), and I would not be surprised to see the "Kilij" guard on one of them. I agree, this looks like a most likely 19th cen creation. What about the blade? Any distinguishing attributes?

I don't know Turkish (although my pseudonym is Turkish

), however there are a lot of Turkish words in Egytian colloquial Arabic, a Legacy of nearly 400 years of Ottoman rule, preceded by 267 years of Mamluk rule. I think the Turkish for Eagles head would be something like "Qosh bash". Erlikhan, could you confirm that for me.

BTW, in Egypt, Police stations are often called karakol. Totally irrelevant I know, but it does include the word "kara"

.

erlikhan · 3rd July 2005, 11:00 PM

Well, kush bashi is "bird head". karakol is police station in Turkey too. But I guess Ariel meant the shape of the pommel by "eagle head", not a translation. I have been describing it as "like a goat's foot" to someone who doesnt know the name of the model, but eagle head seems good too

It is very interesting that German-Austrian museums have great samples of karabelas from Turk-German wars, but there are uncomparably less or none in Turkish museums, even Military Museum doesnt have a good collection of them. This is perhaps because it was really soldiers' item, and even just infantries'. Not noble cavalries', with their broad and medium long structures. They never had gold or jewel decorations, and never used by princes, pashas.. So they were accepted inferior, not important enough to save and take care of?

3rd July 2005, 11:00 PM	#2
erlikhan Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Istanbul Posts: 452	Well, kush bashi is "bird head". karakol is police station in Turkey too. But I guess Ariel meant the shape of the pommel by "eagle head", not a translation. I have been describing it as "like a goat's foot" to someone who doesnt know the name of the model, but eagle head seems good too It is very interesting that German-Austrian museums have great samples of karabelas from Turk-German wars, but there are uncomparably less or none in Turkish museums, even Military Museum doesnt have a good collection of them. This is perhaps because it was really soldiers' item, and even just infantries'. Not noble cavalries', with their broad and medium long structures. They never had gold or jewel decorations, and never used by princes, pashas.. So they were accepted inferior, not important enough to save and take care of?