A hunting sword with Damascus blade of Yataghan type

Tatyana Dianova · 31st August 2017, 10:16 AM

Thank you guys for your replies!
Of course you are right: the blade is made of twisted-core pattern-welded steel. In the place where I live it would be called Damast- or damaszener steel, that's why I used the word Damascus without further thinking - sorry for the misunderstanding!
Still it would be interesting to know the origin of this sword. I believe it is not later than 18th century, having fire-gilt bronze mounts (please see the original pictures - I have cleaned later the fittings with Flitz) in a typical baroque style. The Karabela type hilt made of green painted bone (most probably ivory) and it points to the Eastern Europe, and the blade shape is yataghan inspired, although most probably European made. I wasn't able to find a similar sword in my books or online.
One of the heads on the guard have a small moving detail in his chin - I do not know it purpose, but it is not occasionally there :-)
I will ask the administrator to move the thread to the Ethnographic Forum, maybe we will get more ideas there.

mariusgmioc · 31st August 2017, 01:39 PM

Hello Tatyana and thank you for he further photos.

My bet is still on Turkey and definitely not 18th but 19th century. Even the decoration on the crossguard appears to be classic Turkish... to my eyes.

Let's hope someone will be able tu identify it with more accuracy!

ALEX · 31st August 2017, 02:08 PM

Tatyana, I agree with your initial assessment. This is European hunting sword, I'd say German (based on the pattern) or French (based on handle design). Certainly at least 19thC. The blade is of Damascus mechanical pattern of course and resembles yataghan shape but is not of Turkish or Ottoman production.

Tatyana Dianova · 31st August 2017, 08:20 PM

Thank you Alex - I have never seen such kind of a German or French made blade, but I know near to nothing about European arms... In any case, it is an interesting example of cultural exchange between Ottoman empire and Europe.

31st August 2017, 10:16 AM	#1
Tatyana Dianova Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 737	Thank you guys for your replies! Of course you are right: the blade is made of twisted-core pattern-welded steel. In the place where I live it would be called Damast- or damaszener steel, that's why I used the word Damascus without further thinking - sorry for the misunderstanding! Still it would be interesting to know the origin of this sword. I believe it is not later than 18th century, having fire-gilt bronze mounts (please see the original pictures - I have cleaned later the fittings with Flitz) in a typical baroque style. The Karabela type hilt made of green painted bone (most probably ivory) and it points to the Eastern Europe, and the blade shape is yataghan inspired, although most probably European made. I wasn't able to find a similar sword in my books or online. One of the heads on the guard have a small moving detail in his chin - I do not know it purpose, but it is not occasionally there :-) I will ask the administrator to move the thread to the Ethnographic Forum, maybe we will get more ideas there. Attached Images

31st August 2017, 01:39 PM	#2
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,911	Hello Tatyana and thank you for he further photos. My bet is still on Turkey and definitely not 18th but 19th century. Even the decoration on the crossguard appears to be classic Turkish... to my eyes. Let's hope someone will be able tu identify it with more accuracy!

31st August 2017, 02:08 PM	#3
ALEX Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 936	Tatyana, I agree with your initial assessment. This is European hunting sword, I'd say German (based on the pattern) or French (based on handle design). Certainly at least 19thC. The blade is of Damascus mechanical pattern of course and resembles yataghan shape but is not of Turkish or Ottoman production.

31st August 2017, 08:20 PM	#4
Tatyana Dianova Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 737	Thank you Alex - I have never seen such kind of a German or French made blade, but I know near to nothing about European arms... In any case, it is an interesting example of cultural exchange between Ottoman empire and Europe.