Please help to ID a mark on Yataghan.

Joe082 · 17th October 2011, 05:46 PM

Dear all,
Thanks for the immediate response.
In my description I commited a mistake (Maths is not my forte) and wrote that the Ottoman army withdrew 497 years ago from the Siege of Malta. I must correct this to 447 years.

Ibrahim; Salaam to you. The restoration process was not my doing but I left it in the expert hands of my sword master and mentor. Like you said, following the rust removal they have been coated in transparent grease to keep out the humidity.

To Chris and Jim: The "stirrup" feature you noticed around the Nimcha's quillons and handle had nothing to do with the sword. It was just a vulgar piece of metal wire wrapped around it in an attempt to hold the blade and handle together. You can see a similar attempt around the Yataghan's handle (when they were still together).

I have to say I'm a bit disappointed with the estimated age of the weapons. Still; they are very precious to me. In the Knight's Armoury in Valletta I have seen identical versions of the Nimcha / Saif - See attached pictures. They are behind the Janissary (correct me if I'm wrong about the armour)

Jim Could you provide more information about the mark of acceptance you mentioned? Is it possible that any armourer marks are beneath the patina? - Don't worry, I won't dare remove it.

Regards
Joe

Norman McCormick · 17th October 2011, 10:51 PM

Hi Joe,
My apologies for digressing and hijacking your interesting thread but would it be possible, at some time in the future, for you to photograph in more detail the two Ottoman maces that are on the floor of the showcase in your second photo. I normally wouldn't presume to impose on you but I have just acquired an Ottoman mace and am having difficulty finding images of similar items. If it is not possible then I will fully understand.
Regards,
Norman.

Zifir · 20th October 2011, 09:40 AM

Although not being entirely sure, the marker's mark on the yatağan reads as "amel-i Muhammed" (made by Muhammed).

Joe082 · 20th October 2011, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

Hi Joe,
My apologies for digressing and hijacking your interesting thread but would it be possible, at some time in the future, for you to photograph in more detail the two Ottoman maces that are on the floor of the showcase in your second photo. I normally wouldn't presume to impose on you but I have just acquired an Ottoman mace and am having difficulty finding images of similar items. If it is not possible then I will fully understand.
Regards,
Norman.

I'll try to remember next time I visit the museum.
In the meantime below is a picture I found through a google search. It looks similar but I cannot be sure it is the same type of mace.
Regards
Joe

17th October 2011, 05:46 PM	#1
Joe082 Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Malta (Europe) Posts: 6	Corrections and clarifications Dear all, Thanks for the immediate response. In my description I commited a mistake (Maths is not my forte) and wrote that the Ottoman army withdrew 497 years ago from the Siege of Malta. I must correct this to 447 years. Ibrahim; Salaam to you. The restoration process was not my doing but I left it in the expert hands of my sword master and mentor. Like you said, following the rust removal they have been coated in transparent grease to keep out the humidity. To Chris and Jim: The "stirrup" feature you noticed around the Nimcha's quillons and handle had nothing to do with the sword. It was just a vulgar piece of metal wire wrapped around it in an attempt to hold the blade and handle together. You can see a similar attempt around the Yataghan's handle (when they were still together). I have to say I'm a bit disappointed with the estimated age of the weapons. Still; they are very precious to me. In the Knight's Armoury in Valletta I have seen identical versions of the Nimcha / Saif - See attached pictures. They are behind the Janissary (correct me if I'm wrong about the armour) Jim Could you provide more information about the mark of acceptance you mentioned? Is it possible that any armourer marks are beneath the patina? - Don't worry, I won't dare remove it. Regards Joe Attached Images

17th October 2011, 10:51 PM	#2
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,613	Hi Joe, My apologies for digressing and hijacking your interesting thread but would it be possible, at some time in the future, for you to photograph in more detail the two Ottoman maces that are on the floor of the showcase in your second photo. I normally wouldn't presume to impose on you but I have just acquired an Ottoman mace and am having difficulty finding images of similar items. If it is not possible then I will fully understand. Regards, Norman.

20th October 2011, 09:40 AM	#3
Zifir Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Istanbul Posts: 228	Although not being entirely sure, the marker's mark on the yatağan reads as "amel-i Muhammed" (made by Muhammed).