Kattara for comments

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Here is some shock and awe !!!

Salaams,

The Debate on dating The (New) (FLEXIBLE) Omani Kattara and its origins. Some important dates etc ;

1. The Portuguese did not leave Muscat until they were forced out in 1650. It is impossible, therefor, for bladed weapons to have entered Muscat in the first half i.e. 1600 to 1650.

2. In Europe iron was extremely expensive until a method of smelting was discovered using coke viz;

The iron industry benefited also from other early inventions of the 18th century. Iron was scarce and costly, and production was falling off because England's forests could not supply enough charcoal for smelting the ore. Ironmasters had long been experimenting with coal as a fuel for smelting. Finally the Darby family, after three generations of effort, succeeded with coal that had been transformed into coke. This created a new demand for coal and laid the foundation for the British coal industry.

3. It is unlikely that mass produced blades could have been attempted before 1780 because viz Following the development above ~ The next great steps were taken in the 1780s, when Henry Cort developed the processes of puddling and rolling. Puddling produced nearly pure malleable iron. Hand in hand with the adoption of the new inventions went the rapid development of the factory system of manufacture.

Therefor if the arguement for European Industrial Trade Blades 17th C collapses.

This is on going "hot" research... I also have to report that sword production in Ras Al Khaimah is only recent having interviewed the elders... Perhaps 40 or 50 years only. They are develish clever.. copiers.. though they do make good swords! and they are Omani. They copy all sorts of stamps... but are now written off as "original" manufacturers ~

The new source of original (New) Omani Kattara is Salalah ! and that brings with it the likely involvement of The Yemen and is well placed on the Camel Train framework for supply and distribution.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Michael Blalock]

Thats a good deal you got there Ariel.

[Jim McDougall]

I wanted to just comment on the overall status thus far as I understand, and by my perceptions of the development of these notably different kattara forms.

It does seem possible that the 'old' form with downturned quillons etc. established now as indiginous to the interior Oman, is evolved from early Abbasid swords of c.8th c. however without extant and provenanced examples we cannot be certain of the exact form chronologically. We can presume the form in accord with contemporary types however and estimate the approximate style and its traditional form being maintained.

The more familiar form of Omani kattara with cylindrical hilt and straight, double edged blade is it seems the focus of the discussion and whether it evolved around the arrival of European trade blades in the 17th century.

Elgood ("Arms and Armour of Arabia", p.18) states that the early form of Omani sword is frequently found with German blades of the 17th century suggesting that as a terminus a quo, however clearly that assumption seems in question at this point. It does show that German blades were present in this time apparantly in Oman. On p.16 referring to James Fraser at Ormuz in 1821 it is noted that the Omani garrison, resembling 'Arabs of Muscat' had broadswords and target, with many made at Yemen while greater part were from ports in the Meditteranean, many with Solingen and Andrea Ferara blades.
p.20, he notes that in Hormuz, the Arabs of Muscat shared with them very considerable trade with India where many Arabs had settled.
There were trade connections between Mysore and Tipu Sultan to Muscat from 1786 to his death in 1799 and it is noted that "...since its emergence from 16th century onwards Muscat had established commercial contacts indirectly with Western Europe via India". ("Trade and Empire in Muscat and Zanzibar: Roots of British Domination", Mohammed Reda Bhader, 1992, p.35).

It does seem that most emphasis on the presence of European blades recorded is from mid to latter 18th century into the early 19th in Arabia by Europeans, so it would be difficult to presume that the familiar guardless kattara had appeared in the 17th century. It does seem that the early form did exist with the German trade blades of the 17th century, however whether simply old blades, mounted later or Omani copies is unclear.

While there seems to be sufficient evidence for the import of European blades through India, Egypt and other ports on Muscat maritime trade routes, as well as via caravans in the interior through Jidda and other routes....it seems unlikely that the 'new' kattara evolved 'around' these blades. It does seem clear as noted in various reading in Elgood that there were indeed skilled and numerous sword makers in Arabia, certainly including regions being discussed. It seems that unfortunate observations by Richard Burton in the 19th c. may be the source for the impression that few or no swords were produced in Arabia.

I believe that much as in North Africa, more volume in imported material including blades resulted in the perception that most blades were imported, while of course a good number may have been produced locally. What I do find puzzling is why these well established makers in Oman or Muscat would imitate the European markings if notably proud of thier own wares. Much of the increase in volume of German blades to these colonial regions at the end of the 18th century was due to the upset of local makers for example in England of the German imports. In many cases the Solingen makers began to produce more for other markets to offset this deterence in their markets.
It is believed they did produce various blade types for varied clientele and markets, many of broadsword type to the Sahara and Sudan.

It seems that the 'old' or battle sword is a form which may exist 'in form' in degree traditionally from early types atavistically related to the Abbasid swords, and which may have used Persian and European blades in addition to Omani produced examples. These have remained in use primarily in the Nizwa regions and Omans interior and concurrent with the Muscat type guardless swords. I also wonder how much contact with the Ibadis in North Africa might have contributed to arrival of German blades in Oman.

The highly flexible blades of the Muscat or 'new' kattara, while exact period of development of the hilt style is unclear, are notably important in the Funun, or sword dance. This dynamic is noted by Fraser in 1821 (Elgood, p.16) where he notes the blades are made to 'sing' by jerk of the wrist while being held upright...apparantly before battle. This characteristic of blades is well known into medieval times and in India and other instances, but the details of ceremony related in other places is not clear here. It does seem that the dancing and ceremonial event is much related to martial skill and the use of the weapon in combat.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

I wanted to just comment on the overall status thus far as I understand, and by my perceptions of the development of these notably different kattara forms.

It does seem possible that the 'old' form with downturned quillons etc. established now as indiginous to the interior Oman, is evolved from early Abbasid swords of c.8th c. however without extant and provenanced examples we cannot be certain of the exact form chronologically. We can presume the form in accord with contemporary types however and estimate the approximate style and its traditional form being maintained.

The more familiar form of Omani kattara with cylindrical hilt and straight, double edged blade is it seems the focus of the discussion and whether it evolved around the arrival of European trade blades in the 17th century.

Elgood ("Arms and Armour of Arabia", p.18) states that the early form of Omani sword is frequently found with German blades of the 17th century suggesting that as a terminus a quo, however clearly that assumption seems in question at this point. It does show that German blades were present in this time apparantly in Oman. On p.16 referring to James Fraser at Ormuz in 1821 it is noted that the Omani garrison, resembling 'Arabs of Muscat' had broadswords and target, with many made at Yemen while greater part were from ports in the Meditteranean, many with Solingen and Andrea Ferara blades.
p.20, he notes that in Hormuz, the Arabs of Muscat shared with them very considerable trade with India where many Arabs had settled.
There were trade connections between Mysore and Tipu Sultan to Muscat from 1786 to his death in 1799 and it is noted that "...since its emergence from 16th century onwards Muscat had established commercial contacts indirectly with Western Europe via India". ("Trade and Empire in Muscat and Zanzibar: Roots of British Domination", Mohammed Reda Bhader, 1992, p.35).

It does seem that most emphasis on the presence of European blades recorded is from mid to latter 18th century into the early 19th in Arabia by Europeans, so it would be difficult to presume that the familiar guardless kattara had appeared in the 17th century. It does seem that the early form did exist with the German trade blades of the 17th century, however whether simply old blades, mounted later or Omani copies is unclear.

While there seems to be sufficient evidence for the import of European blades through India, Egypt and other ports on Muscat maritime trade routes, as well as via caravans in the interior through Jidda and other routes....it seems unlikely that the 'new' kattara evolved 'around' these blades. It does seem clear as noted in various reading in Elgood that there were indeed skilled and numerous sword makers in Arabia, certainly including regions being discussed. It seems that unfortunate observations by Richard Burton in the 19th c. may be the source for the impression that few or no swords were produced in Arabia.

I believe that much as in North Africa, more volume in imported material including blades resulted in the perception that most blades were imported, while of course a good number may have been produced locally. What I do find puzzling is why these well established makers in Oman or Muscat would imitate the European markings if notably proud of thier own wares. Much of the increase in volume of German blades to these colonial regions at the end of the 18th century was due to the upset of local makers for example in England of the German imports. In many cases the Solingen makers began to produce more for other markets to offset this deterence in their markets.
It is believed they did produce various blade types for varied clientele and markets, many of broadsword type to the Sahara and Sudan.

It seems that the 'old' or battle sword is a form which may exist 'in form' in degree traditionally from early types atavistically related to the Abbasid swords, and which may have used Persian and European blades in addition to Omani produced examples. These have remained in use primarily in the Nizwa regions and Omans interior and concurrent with the Muscat type guardless swords. I also wonder how much contact with the Ibadis in North Africa might have contributed to arrival of German blades in Oman.

The highly flexible blades of the Muscat or 'new' kattara, while exact period of development of the hilt style is unclear, are notably important in the Funun, or sword dance. This dynamic is noted by Fraser in 1821 (Elgood, p.16) where he notes the blades are made to 'sing' by jerk of the wrist while being held upright...apparantly before battle. This characteristic of blades is well known into medieval times and in India and other instances, but the details of ceremony related in other places is not clear here. It does seem that the dancing and ceremonial event is much related to martial skill and the use of the weapon in combat.

Salaams Jim,

As expected your letter is, as always, full of excellent, well read research.

My first general observation is in your reference which I quote;

"These have remained in use primarily in the Nizwa regions and Omans interior and concurrent with the Muscat type guardless swords. I also wonder how much contact with the Ibadis in North Africa might have contributed to arrival of German blades in Oman"

The Short and long Kattara have one thing in common ~ They were and are all over Oman; Coast, Interior, mountains and desert. After 751 AD Oman was at peace with itself for nearly 400 years and the old Kattara sword went where the religion went. i.e. All over Oman. When eventually the new weapon superceded it, that too went countrywide spilling over into tribal regions on the periphery like the Gulf Coast Fiefdoms now The UAE etc and Omani possessions like Zanzibar/ parts of the East African Coast, the Gwadur region in Baluchistan and enclaves traded with and settled by Omanis in India.

When Oman was at war with itself Interior (capital Nizwa) versus Coast (Capital Muscat) the same weapons were used against each other though as yet the new kattara had not surfaced. There was a great war lasting 100 years (like the War Of The Roses) and a few other miniature outbreaks. I wanted to make the point in case it was imagined that Short Omani Battle Swords were only in the Interior (Nizwa armoury) and that the Coast used some other system..

The second point about North Africa Ibathi and sword transition... I have no idea. I suspect not, however, hopefully that may be proven/disproven in due course..

Regarding The Old Kattara.

My earlier letter tying the Abbasid and the Omani Short Battle sword and the date 751 AD commensurate with the weapon being an Iconic and heraldic insignia sword of Ibathi Islam... parallel in the same way as the "Sword of The Prophet" concept. The date being the start of Ibathiism and the appearance of its First Immam in Oman. (Julanda). (and proven through the Funoon, Razha etc) Another of my renditions lays out the 11 close similarities between the Abbasid and the Ibathi sword which we call variously The Old Kattara, The Old Omani Battle Sword. Turned down Quillons et al.

I have to admit that I have never seen anywhere in a Museum or in any collection or locally in the souks an early weapon of this style with a confirmed German or foreign blade. I have never seen its blade with any sort of European blade mark. I have a suspicion having seen a lot of these blades that there is an interloper ... a blade with less rigidity, not so thick, lighter... which may be the European blade which may have appeared late on this weapon.. Perhaps 17th C but I have yet to discover that as fact. Perhaps that is where the confusion about 17th C lies?

It is certainly on my agenda to investigate that problem.

Regarding the New Kattara.
I know of no mediaeval Indian or other spatulate tip, flexible bladed, long hilt weapon around the region that would have led to its adoption into Oman and covered by your quote viz;

"This dynamic is noted by Fraser in 1821 (Elgood, p.16) where he notes the blades are made to 'sing' by jerk of the wrist while being held upright...apparantly before battle. This characteristic of blades is well known into medieval times and in India and other instances, but the details of ceremony related in other places is not clear here". Unquote.

What is important however is the date 1821 which places the weapon firmly in Oman at that time. That is also the only vague reference to what is, in fact, The Funoon and reference to the singing blade is clearly the Razha celebratory technique. In so far as any investigation before or since, this Forum is the first to uncover the wealth of information revealed by its analysis.

Your note on the Hormuz is also an interesting quote;

"On p.16 referring to James Fraser at Ormuz in 1821 it is noted that the Omani garrison, resembling 'Arabs of Muscat' had broadswords and target, with many made at Yemen while greater part were from ports in the Meditteranean, many with Solingen and Andrea Ferara blades" .

Was he referring to the old or new swords? I assume the new ones which were used to sing...by buzzing the blades. Both have a broad blade per se and both use what he calls a target which I assume is the Terrs buckler shield. He refers to Yemen which we know was a general region, in fact, encompassing the horn of Africa where it can be seen on many old maps and sea charts actually marked as "The Yemen" ! It could also have included Salalah. It is an important quote and could date the New Kattara before, not after 1821. It could be an indicator of Salalah or South Arabian provenance, however I cannot understand the quote;

""while greater part were from ports in the Meditteranean, many with Solingen and Andrea Ferara blades" . Unquote.

I have never seen a Mediterranean or Solingen or Andrea Ferara New Omani Kattara. What do they look like ? What was the blade stamp? Is there a museum example?

It seems to me that blades from the 17th C European Trade Blade presumeably from the Industrial Revolution cannot have been responsible for Omans replacement sword stock because the dates of the European Industrial period are much later. Whilst 1821 is a lot later and more believable why would they accept foreign blades and with the requirement to fully update the Funoon etc? At least we need to look at possible cottage industry production locally and in the absence of proper evidence including blade stamps etc I think that is a worthy cause.

I have some loosely formatted ideas and heresay information regarding Salalah which will take time to check out. I know that the tribesmen there (Jebali) practically all carry the New Omani Kattara at National Day Celebrations and are fervent performers of The Sword Dance with thousands at a time taking part in rolling parade dance pasts for the Ruler.

Meanwhile we roll forward and hopefully a conclusion is close. Of course Nizwa is staring us in the face as a possible centre of production however I am well aware of that and have a few interesting leads in that regard.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[laEspadaAncha]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

It seems to me that blades from the 17th C European Trade Blade presumeably from the Industrial Revolution cannot have been responsible for Omans replacement sword stock because the dates of the European Industrial period are much later. Whilst 1821 is a lot later and more believable why would they accept foreign blades and with the requirement to fully update the Funoon etc? At least we need to look at possible cottage industry production locally and in the absence of proper evidence including blade stamps etc I think that is a worthy cause.

Salaams Ibrahiim,

While the Industrial Revolution may not have begun until the latter half of the 18th century, industrialization of the (sword manufacturing) process had (as I understand it) been occurring in Solingen since the 16th century. The use of (water driven) mechanical hammers allowed for a rate of production significantly greater than traditional hammer forging methods had allowed. There was indeed a significant industry (and thus industrial presence) in place in Solingen in the 17th century producing large quantities of swords.

Jim, thank you (yet again!) for taking the time to share your knowledge. The picture you draw of the extensive (and intertwined) networks of trade is demonstrative of how pervasive trade - and the influence it brings - has always been...

[Iain]

Originally Posted by laEspadaAncha

Salaams Ibrahiim,

While the Industrial Revolution may not have begun until the latter half of the 18th century, industrialization of the (sword manufacturing) process had (as I understand it) been occurring in Solingen since the 16th century. The use of (water driven) mechanical hammers allowed for a rate of production significantly greater than traditional hammer forging methods had allowed. There was indeed a significant industry (and thus industrial presence) in place in Solingen in the 17th century producing large quantities of swords.

Jim, thank you (yet again!) for taking the time to share your knowledge. The picture you draw of the extensive (and intertwined) networks of trade is demonstrative of how pervasive trade - and the influence it brings - has always been...

Exactly - by the 16th century water powered hammers and grinders were in use in Solingen. The town was ideally situated with access to local iron ore deposits, vast forests for the necessary charcoal production and the water power necessary to allow for quick forging and manufacture.

A water powered hammer at the time was roughly 5 times faster than hand forging a blade. Typically blades were rough forged by the mechanical hammers and then hand finished using water powered grinders.

This was exponentially faster than the techniques used even in most other areas of Europe at the time. As a result Solingen items were produced at a highly uniform quality for a very competitive price.

These three natural resources of ore, wood and water are not commonly found together in the Sahel or the Mid East. As such steel and the resulting products, were by necessity more expensive in the local economies because the effort and resource consumption relative to local supply (particularly wood) was much higher than the relative consumption in Solingen.

So to put it quite simply, semi industrialized blade production was already happening in Solingen by the 16th century.

Ibrahiim,

I personally have not studied kattara in sufficient detail to show you a list of European blades that I've closely researched, however a quick Google search soon turns up some leads you can follow up on. Keep in mind the running wolf originated in Passau but was widely used in Solingen as well.

http://therionarms.com/sold/ttoy279.html A correspondent to Therion mentioned dated Portuguese blades in his collection.

Here a sale record for a sword with a running wolf - http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedi...-kattara-sword

Here another with a basic running wolf - http://www.oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=1971

Here is yet another - http://www.swordforum.com/forums/sho...is-a-good-deal

Here is another sales record for one - http://www.antiq.cz/aukce/m-n/katalog6-98/en/528.html

Finally I stumbled on this old style kattara you might find interesting due to the Arabic inscription (obviously a local blade I just figured I'd post it here before I forgot the link!) - http://www.trocadero.com/101antiques...7179store.html

Even if one or two of these blades are locally produced, why are they applying a wolf stamp stamp copied from Solingen/Passau? The evidence for trade blades is simply unavoidable and is backed up by historical accounts like Fraser.

Just as a final note, and I don't want to get into a lot of detail here since it's not my area and I find your research quite interesting. But in terms of presenting dates and research regarding the old form kattara... You have a compelling and very well thought out theory for how this style of sword entered Oman, but at the same time your heavy use of the 751 date gives an impression that you believe absolutely nothing did change stylistically in over 1000 years (as the sword remains in use until the 18th century) - I'm not sure if that is how you mean to present it or not? I'm simply urging caution here as your enthusiasm for this date I think can be misleading to readers. Certainly the old style swords that are typically encountered I think we would all agree are not 8th century artifacts. Still I think you've done an excellent job putting together a probable timeline for the old style sword so please take this as a constructive comment, I'm just the type of person who is very cautious when it comes to presenting dating theories over such a long period without physical evidence to account for the time in between.

All the best and keep up your research,

Iain

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Iain

Exactly - by the 16th century water powered hammers and grinders were in use in Solingen. The town was ideally situated with access to local iron ore deposits, vast forests for the necessary charcoal production and the water power necessary to allow for quick forging and manufacture.

A water powered hammer at the time was roughly 5 times faster than hand forging a blade. Typically blades were rough forged by the mechanical hammers and then hand finished using water powered grinders.

This was exponentially faster than the techniques used even in most other areas of Europe at the time. As a result Solingen items were produced at a highly uniform quality for a very competitive price.

These three natural resources of ore, wood and water are not commonly found together in the Sahel or the Mid East. As such steel and the resulting products, were by necessity more expensive in the local economies because the effort and resource consumption relative to local supply (particularly wood) was much higher than the relative consumption in Solingen.

So to put it quite simply, semi industrialized blade production was already happening in Solingen by the 16th century.

Ibrahiim,

I personally have not studied kattara in sufficient detail to show you a list of European blades that I've closely researched, however a quick Google search soon turns up some leads you can follow up on. Keep in mind the running wolf originated in Passau but was widely used in Solingen as well.

http://therionarms.com/sold/ttoy279.html A correspondent to Therion mentioned dated Portuguese blades in his collection.

Here a sale record for a sword with a running wolf - http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedi...-kattara-sword

Here another with a basic running wolf - http://www.oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=1971

Here is yet another - http://www.swordforum.com/forums/sho...is-a-good-deal

Here is another sales record for one - http://www.antiq.cz/aukce/m-n/katalog6-98/en/528.html

Finally I stumbled on this old style kattara you might find interesting due to the Arabic inscription (obviously a local blade I just figured I'd post it here before I forgot the link!) - http://www.trocadero.com/101antiques...7179store.html

Even if one or two of these blades are locally produced, why are they applying a wolf stamp stamp copied from Solingen/Passau? The evidence for trade blades is simply unavoidable and is backed up by historical accounts like Fraser.

Just as a final note, and I don't want to get into a lot of detail here since it's not my area and I find your research quite interesting. But in terms of presenting dates and research regarding the old form kattara... You have a compelling and very well thought out theory for how this style of sword entered Oman, but at the same time your heavy use of the 751 date gives an impression that you believe absolutely nothing did change stylistically in over 1000 years (as the sword remains in use until the 18th century) - I'm not sure if that is how you mean to present it or not? I'm simply urging caution here as your enthusiasm for this date I think can be misleading to readers. Certainly the old style swords that are typically encountered I think we would all agree are not 8th century artifacts. Still I think you've done an excellent job putting together a probable timeline for the old style sword so please take this as a constructive comment, I'm just the type of person who is very cautious when it comes to presenting dating theories over such a long period without physical evidence to account for the time in between.

All the best and keep up your research,

Iain

Salaams Iain,
Superb letter, excellent research and very well put! Last point first; the 751 AD date for the Omani Short Original Battlesword, The Old Kattara. I promote that date as the first appearance of the weapon but by no means the date of all "originals" which must have been manufactured in a bracket of time rather than all at once. The date therefor is of "style". 751AD was the date of the first Ibathi Immam "ibn Julanda", thereby it is chosen as the likely introductory date of the Iconic, indeed Heraldic, Insignia sword against the Abbasid. (this is the sword from the Funoon; The Razha or sword dance and mimic combat formulated at the beginning of the Ibathi structure in 751 A.D) Questions arise such as what was the time bracket and when therefor was the last blade made? (that is the 64,000 dollar question !)

Regarding the Germany related questions; Mass production, Solingen, Running Wolf Stamp etc...I accept the German water powered hammer machinery was turning out vast numbers of blades... I should have researched that..Well spotted ! The running wolf stamp I have seen on a New Kattara in a Muscat Museum which they say is 19th C and fake. I have been digging through my notes and about 15 years ago met up with a collector from the UAE who at the time was only beginning to collect swords and he said that Old Kattara had two blades. His collection is now one of the worlds biggest ! I dismissed it at the time but it now transpires that the old weapon was given a new blade, early, perhaps 17th century? and that it was thinner, more flexible, and lighter than the original style. I handled a couple of Old Kattara in the Muscat Souk with flimsy looking blades and didnt give it a second thought, or considered them rusted and worn out... when in fact they may have been the imported blades we are trying to identify.

Could it be that the imported blade and old Kattara was the sword seen by Frazer in Hormuz in about 1821... ? It may have been the vibrating singing blade ? Is it possible that this imported thinner "transitional blade" on the Old Kattara then gave rise to the New Long Kattara form ?

In your references there is a so called 1000 AD Old Omani Kattara with a fine Arabic stamp. Their date is wrong by a few centuries.. since this is the sword from the Funoon formulated at the beginning of the Ibathi structure is 751 A.D. The other detail is ok and I like the fact they observe that a sword like this lasted centuries being passed down from father to son and as in Islamic and Arabian style they tended to "retain what worked" for many centuries..

Thank you very much for your excellent input !

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by laEspadaAncha

Salaams Ibrahiim,

While the Industrial Revolution may not have begun until the latter half of the 18th century, industrialization of the (sword manufacturing) process had (as I understand it) been occurring in Solingen since the 16th century. The use of (water driven) mechanical hammers allowed for a rate of production significantly greater than traditional hammer forging methods had allowed. There was indeed a significant industry (and thus industrial presence) in place in Solingen in the 17th century producing large quantities of swords.

Jim, thank you (yet again!) for taking the time to share your knowledge. The picture you draw of the extensive (and intertwined) networks of trade is demonstrative of how pervasive trade - and the influence it brings - has always been...

Salaams, You are absolutely correct and my apologies for taking my eye off the ball regarding German production. Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[ariel]

Originally Posted by Michael Blalock

Thats a good deal you got there Ariel.

Thanks!
I got lucky, always wanted one of those, but they are usually very expensive:-)

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by ariel

Thanks!
I got lucky, always wanted one of those, but they are usually very expensive:-)

Salaams Ariel... So you are the rightful owner of the Old Omani Battle Sword...The Kattara . Style 751 AD ! Join the club! Now can you kindly please show a decent picture of the blade as I would like to analyse it... are there any marks on the sword? was there a scabbard? Well done ! Regards Ibrahiim

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by ariel

Thanks!
I got lucky, always wanted one of those, but they are usually very expensive:-)

Salaams Ariel, Ive had a good look at the pictures and I consider it to be of original form. Can you please inspect the blade as I imagine I can see an Arabic inscription on the blade near the throat?
Regards Ibrahiim al Balooshi

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by ariel

Thanks!
I got lucky, always wanted one of those, but they are usually very expensive:-)

Salaams Ariel,
On sweeping back through the thread I note you have a Old Omani Sayf and on checking I think it has a circular blade stamp... If this is the case can you kindly show it please? I believe there is a Nizwa stamp corresponding to this sword but I am not yet able to confirm. Two places seem to be at the front in the investigation: Yemen and Nizwa. In referring to Yemen the area of interest may be Hadramaut or even Salalah (in those days).

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[A.alnakkas]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Here is some shock and awe !!!

Salaams,

The Debate on dating The (New) (FLEXIBLE) Omani Kattara and its origins. Some important dates etc ;

1. The Portuguese did not leave Muscat until they were forced out in 1850. It is impossible, therefor, for bladed weapons to have entered Muscat in the first half i.e. 1600 to 1650.

2. In Europe iron was extremely expensive until a method of smelting was discovered using coke viz;

The iron industry benefited also from other early inventions of the 18th century. Iron was scarce and costly, and production was falling off because England's forests could not supply enough charcoal for smelting the ore. Ironmasters had long been experimenting with coal as a fuel for smelting. Finally the Darby family, after three generations of effort, succeeded with coal that had been transformed into coke. This created a new demand for coal and laid the foundation for the British coal industry.

3. It is unlikely that mass produced blades could have been attempted before 1780 because viz Following the development above ~ The next great steps were taken in the 1780s, when Henry Cort developed the processes of puddling and rolling. Puddling produced nearly pure malleable iron. Hand in hand with the adoption of the new inventions went the rapid development of the factory system of manufacture.

Therefor if the arguement for European Industrial Trade Blades 17th C collapses.

This is on going "hot" research... I also have to report that sword production in Ras Al Khaimah is only recent having interviewed the elders... Perhaps 40 or 50 years only. They are develish clever.. copiers.. though they do make good swords! and they are Omani. They copy all sorts of stamps... but are now written off as "original" manufacturers ~

The new source of original (New) Omani Kattara is Salalah ! and that brings with it the likely involvement of The Yemen and is well placed on the Camel Train framework for supply and distribution.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Salam Alaikum,

First, I do not think that the european industrial blade argument is dismantled in your answer. Your answer does not really answers the question actually.

It must be noted that the majority of european trade blades do not come from england, rather they come from Almajar (Hungary) or Germany. As far as I know, Germany imported steel from Sweden and there wasnt really any issue there. Your answer however, focuses on England which blade's are rare here (wilkinson blades being mostly sold to ethiopia but those are easy to tell apart from other blades)

What I find interesting in the Kattara is that it stayed landlocked in Oman and what is now the UAE... why was this form not adopted by other arabs? even though they were connected tribally (Bani Kaab tribe being the most obvious, as it exist in alBasra, Kuwait, AlAhwaz, Qatar and Oman/UAE) Why was the Badawi/syrian hilt style become dominant? keep in mind that there are straight blades with badawi hilt, they are called Garda.

Now to my opinion regarding your quest, I think its very good and respect worthy, but as an advice, when it comes to weapons and other important goods, forget about what might seem as religious barriers :-)

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by A.alnakkas

Salam Alaikum,

First, I do not think that the european industrial blade argument is dismantled in your answer. Your answer does not really answers the question actually.

It must be noted that the majority of european trade blades do not come from england, rather they come from Almajar (Hungary) or Germany. As far as I know, Germany imported steel from Sweden and there wasnt really any issue there. Your answer however, focuses on England which blade's are rare here (wilkinson blades being mostly sold to ethiopia but those are easy to tell apart from other blades)

What I find interesting in the Kattara is that it stayed landlocked in Oman and what is now the UAE... why was this form not adopted by other arabs? even though they were connected tribally (Bani Kaab tribe being the most obvious, as it exist in alBasra, Kuwait, AlAhwaz, Qatar and Oman/UAE) Why was the Badawi/syrian hilt style become dominant? keep in mind that there are straight blades with badawi hilt, they are called Garda.

Now to my opinion regarding your quest, I think its very good and respect worthy, but as an advice, when it comes to weapons and other important goods, forget about what might seem as religious barriers :-)

Actually we do need to focus on Germany which is where most of the trade blades were from. England has never really done much in exporting blades except for later in the 19th century to colonial regions. Solingen, on the Wupper River is strategically located for its ore. Sweden was noted for cheaper iron exported much later in the 19th century and unsure of why Germany would have brought that in.
It has never been entirely clear about Hungarian blades, and actually it seems many of these were actually from Solingen or Styria, though there were a few makers, certainly insufficient for export. It does seem that in Arabia the 'Magyar' blades were much favored, but via Syria . These were sabre blades, not broadswords as in most Omani kattara. The larger part of the curved sabre blades came in the 19th century with Caucasian and other European imports.

I think the kattara was far from landlocked as far as the new form. These are well known in Zanzibar as well as well into Africa;s trade networks. It is tempting to associate the cylindrical guard Manding sabres of Mali as well as thed Maasai seme' of Kenya, which may have some degree of influence via Muscat merchants. The 'old' form seems to have remained in place in Omans interior regions contemporary with the new forms on the coast.

The markings phenomenon to me seems very much in line with the blade makers in Sudan where 'Kasallawi' makers produced kaskaras from the 1960s to present. The copied markings are similar but usually distinguishable from old ones by the blade context.

The Wilkinson blades were indeed produced for Abyssinia in the latter 19th century and most notably 1930s. Germany also produced blades for this market. Many of these blades ended up in Yemen where they were remounted in San'a.

We are focused on commercial and trade aspects, nothing to do with religion, so lets keep it that way OK .

[A.alnakkas]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Actually we do need to focus on Germany which is where most of the trade blades were from. England has never really done much in exporting blades except for later in the 19th century to colonial regions. Solingen, on the Wupper River is strategically located for its ore. Sweden was noted for cheaper iron exported much later in the 19th century and unsure of why Germany would have brought that in.
It has never been entirely clear about Hungarian blades, and actually it seems many of these were actually from Solingen or Styria, though there were a few makers, certainly insufficient for export. It does seem that in Arabia the 'Magyar' blades were much favored, but via Syria . These were sabre blades, not broadswords as in most Omani kattara. The larger part of the curved sabre blades came in the 19th century with Caucasian and other European imports.

I think the kattara was far from landlocked as far as the new form. These are well known in Zanzibar as well as well into Africa;s trade networks. It is tempting to associate the cylindrical guard Manding sabres of Mali as well as thed Maasai seme' of Kenya, which may have some degree of influence via Muscat merchants. The 'old' form seems to have remained in place in Omans interior regions contemporary with the new forms on the coast.

The markings phenomenon to me seems very much in line with the blade makers in Sudan where 'Kasallawi' makers produced kaskaras from the 1960s to present. The copied markings are similar but usually distinguishable from old ones by the blade context.

The Wilkinson blades were indeed produced for Abyssinia in the latter 19th century and most notably 1930s. Germany also produced blades for this market. Many of these blades ended up in Yemen where they were remounted in San'a.

We are focused on commercial and trade aspects, nothing to do with religion, so lets keep it that way OK .

Hey Jim,

You are correct, the "Magyar" blades were mainly sabers. They can be told apart from other european blades due to their decoration.

I could have used a better description to why I considered the Kattara a landlocked type. What I ment is that while it did spread into Zanzibar (was Omani territory anyways) it did not spread in Arabia, which its people favoured the shamshir oriented Badawi style. Keep in mind that Omani's lived in as far as Kuwait for God knows how far in time but the sword style was never adopted. The Omani Khanjar though was adopted quickly as a sign of prestige :-)

I need to start hunting for heirloom pictures... For example, a friend of mine who's from Omani origin has a Khanjar of super quality, think its made of gold . it belonged to his late grandfather. Almost all families here have a heirloom here and there...

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by A.alnakkas

Hey Jim,

You are correct, the "Magyar" blades were mainly sabers. They can be told apart from other european blades due to their decoration.

I could have used a better description to why I considered the Kattara a landlocked type. What I ment is that while it did spread into Zanzibar (was Omani territory anyways) it did not spread in Arabia, which its people favoured the shamshir oriented Badawi style. Keep in mind that Omani's lived in as far as Kuwait for God knows how far in time but the sword style was never adopted. The Omani Khanjar though was adopted quickly as a sign of prestige :-)

I need to start hunting for heirloom pictures... For example, a friend of mine who's from Omani origin has a Khanjar of super quality, think its made of gold . it belonged to his late grandfather. Almost all families here have a heirloom here and there...

I think now we're on the same page You're right, the broadsword type did not gain favor throughout the rest of the Peninsula, except that in the Hadhramaut and Yemen the straight blade sa'if, actually pallasche became quite well established. These were single edged backswords, often with false edge, but of course far from the doubled edged kattara.


The heirloom pictures would be great!

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by A.alnakkas

Hey Jim,

You are correct, the "Magyar" blades were mainly sabers. They can be told apart from other european blades due to their decoration.

I could have used a better description to why I considered the Kattara a landlocked type. What I ment is that while it did spread into Zanzibar (was Omani territory anyways) it did not spread in Arabia, which its people favoured the shamshir oriented Badawi style. Keep in mind that Omani's lived in as far as Kuwait for God knows how far in time but the sword style was never adopted. The Omani Khanjar though was adopted quickly as a sign of prestige :-)

I need to start hunting for heirloom pictures... For example, a friend of mine who's from Omani origin has a Khanjar of super quality, think its made of gold . it belonged to his late grandfather. Almost all families here have a heirloom here and there...

Salaams,
Kindly have a look at this link and may I ask you to help me decipher the Arabic stamp on the blade? http://www.trocadero.com/101antique...47179store.html Thanks very much.. Shukran Jazeelan wa Eid Mubarrak for Sunday coming..
Salaams Ibrahiim.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams Forum..
This webpage should perhaps be viewed as it may be related and shows Topkapi exhibits; users.stlcc.edu/mfuller/turk/topkapiarms.html

I swear I have seen an Abbasid sword about 8th or 9th C with a dot to the blade tip...??

Ah perhaps I can slide in a quote from Jim on this note with bold letters by me ~
"In looking into references in Yucel, I was also amazed that I had apparantly missed so much attention to the presence of gold filled holes in many of these blades, including of course those believed to be Umayyad and Abbasid. Apparantly, according to Yucel, these occur in numbers of one to seven dots, and often are placed strategically next to inscriptions or devotional passages as seen in a number of the plates. He claims these gold dots are to give the swordsman good luck, which is of course a simplified reference to the much more complex talismanic applications which may be present.
I would note that many of these swords were from Mamluk provenance before entering the Ottoman armouries, which may explain the presence of this affectation found on some swords in North African sphere, using usually copper filled holes. The placing of these often near the blade tip is in the same fashion seen on many of the blades in Topkapi, though they are often but one of numerous other dots on the blade. Unquote


Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by A.alnakkas

Salam Alaikum,

First, I do not think that the european industrial blade argument is dismantled in your answer. Your answer does not really answers the question actually.

It must be noted that the majority of european trade blades do not come from england, rather they come from Almajar (Hungary) or Germany. As far as I know, Germany imported steel from Sweden and there wasnt really any issue there. Your answer however, focuses on England which blade's are rare here (wilkinson blades being mostly sold to ethiopia but those are easy to tell apart from other blades)

What I find interesting in the Kattara is that it stayed landlocked in Oman and what is now the UAE... why was this form not adopted by other arabs? even though they were connected tribally (Bani Kaab tribe being the most obvious, as it exist in alBasra, Kuwait, AlAhwaz, Qatar and Oman/UAE) Why was the Badawi/syrian hilt style become dominant? keep in mind that there are straight blades with badawi hilt, they are called Garda.

Now to my opinion regarding your quest, I think its very good and respect worthy, but as an advice, when it comes to weapons and other important goods, forget about what might seem as religious barriers :-)

Salaams,

If you have a look at my letter you will see that I have questioned the 17th C European Trade Blade since assuming these blades were produced on mass in the Industrial Revolution they cannot have been made before a certain date. 17th C is far too early. (German invention and British went on at about the same pace whilst in India the Industrial Revolution did not arrive until the early 20th C.) That in no way rules out early foreign cottage industry production except they would have been a lot more expensive.

Having said that I am looking for local production in areas like Salalah and Nizwa but I have an open door on other regions. It is entirely possible that European Trade Blades entered Oman before 1821(Frazer Hormuz) Local blades could have been produced in tandem. It may also transpire as myth. ~ I need to see it proven.

My analysis of The Funoon and The Razha and Ibathi Islamic historical facts are practically the only reference to religion in fathoming out this weapons provenance and without it we would all still be in the dark regarding the Omani Kattara. Politics and Religion are used only in a purely historical sense after all History would be a very thin pamphlet without the driving force of either.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.