Yemeni Sayfs? Omani Kattaras?

Richard G · 11th October 2012, 07:13 PM

Johnny,
I am intrigued by the hilts on these swords:-

1, Do they all have that window or fenestration on one side? i.e. Nos 1 and 3 show the "reverse", so's to speak, of nos 2 and 4?

2, it almost looks as if the scabbard pushes up inside the hilt so that the blade can then no longer be seen through the window. On no 4 the scabbard even seems to have a tongue designed specifically for that purpose. Is this the case?

If so, I've never seen anything like that before , or any reference to it.

Regards
Richard

SwedeGreen · 11th October 2012, 07:28 PM

Richard:
You are correct, there is a space between the bottom of the hilt and the blade to receive the wood scabbards. The scabbards recess into the hilts.

I must inspect them more carefully to answer about the "window" on only one side. I believe you are right but need to travel two hours to see them again at my father's. I’ll take more and better photos and number them for review.

Not noted earlier is that the design on each of the four hilts is worn more on one side. This indicates to us that they were worn by rubbing against the body or saddle through long use. Perhaps another clue to their use as battle swords rather than pageant "Kattaras".

Respectfully
Johnny

Michael Blalock · 12th October 2012, 02:34 AM

Hi, Johnny, nice Yemeni swords. Do you know who brought them from Yemen?

SwedeGreen · 12th October 2012, 04:28 AM

Michael:
I don't. A German woman and her husband. They may have been in the US Diplomatic Service in the 1960's. My Dad trades in old West memorabilia and bought these from the widow in Northern Colorado last month. I'll ask him for more details.

Johnny

11th October 2012, 07:13 PM	#1
Richard G Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 409	Johnny, I am intrigued by the hilts on these swords:- 1, Do they all have that window or fenestration on one side? i.e. Nos 1 and 3 show the "reverse", so's to speak, of nos 2 and 4? 2, it almost looks as if the scabbard pushes up inside the hilt so that the blade can then no longer be seen through the window. On no 4 the scabbard even seems to have a tongue designed specifically for that purpose. Is this the case? If so, I've never seen anything like that before , or any reference to it. Regards Richard

11th October 2012, 07:28 PM	#2
SwedeGreen Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 7	Richard: You are correct, there is a space between the bottom of the hilt and the blade to receive the wood scabbards. The scabbards recess into the hilts. I must inspect them more carefully to answer about the "window" on only one side. I believe you are right but need to travel two hours to see them again at my father's. I’ll take more and better photos and number them for review. Not noted earlier is that the design on each of the four hilts is worn more on one side. This indicates to us that they were worn by rubbing against the body or saddle through long use. Perhaps another clue to their use as battle swords rather than pageant "Kattaras". Respectfully Johnny

12th October 2012, 02:34 AM	#3
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Hi, Johnny, nice Yemeni swords. Do you know who brought them from Yemen?

12th October 2012, 04:28 AM	#4
SwedeGreen Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 7	Michael: I don't. A German woman and her husband. They may have been in the US Diplomatic Service in the 1960's. My Dad trades in old West memorabilia and bought these from the widow in Northern Colorado last month. I'll ask him for more details. Johnny