Crimean Tatars knives in the 18th century

TVV · 31st October 2019, 01:47 AM

I am still not sure exactly how Crimean knives looked like, assuming they had distinct characteristics. However, I am very familiar with Bulgarian shepherd's knives and can guarantee that the example at the bottom of post 17 (larger and smaller knife in the same wooden scabbard) is very much a late 19th century Bulgarian shepherd's knife.

ariel · 31st October 2019, 01:58 AM

Only those two were bought by the Tsar himself from a Bakhchisarai knifemaker in 1837:-)

mahratt · 31st October 2019, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

Only those two were bought by the Tsar himself from a Bakhchisarai knifemaker in 1837:-)

Ohhhh! Perfectly. Do you have any confirmation from the Kremlin’s Armory that these are exactly these knives? When I was in the vaults of the Armory and the curator of the collection showed me oriental sabers and daggers, for some reason he didn’t show these two knives ... But I can call him today, take an interest in these knives by sending him a photo using WhatsApp . Are you sure that the photo shows the knives from the Armory? Or are there still knives in the photo, presumably such as those in the Kremlin Armory?

TVV · 31st October 2019, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

Only those two were bought by the Tsar himself from a Bakhchisarai knifemaker in 1837:-)

I read the description, but the picture is of a so-called double knife consisting of the two most popular types of shepherd's knives in Bulgaria in the 19th century - the smaller is a so-called Buynovo knife, after the village of Buynovo where the typical hilt form with a pommel cap originated, while the larger one is known as a "yalamiya" or "karakulak". There are thousands of these in Bulgaria and I have seen hundreds of them, to the point where I have absolutely no doubt as to what they are. I am not sure of how the Bakhchisarai attribution happened, but it is just plain wrong.

mahratt · 31st October 2019, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVV

I am not sure of how the Bakhchisarai attribution happened, but it is just plain wrong.

I think you are absolutely right. But let's wait for Ariel's answer. Perhaps he contacted with Armory Kremlin on this issue.

In principle, since I am well acquainted with the curator of edged weapons of the Armory Kremlin, I can ask him about these knives.

31st October 2019, 01:47 AM	#1
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,660	I am still not sure exactly how Crimean knives looked like, assuming they had distinct characteristics. However, I am very familiar with Bulgarian shepherd's knives and can guarantee that the example at the bottom of post 17 (larger and smaller knife in the same wooden scabbard) is very much a late 19th century Bulgarian shepherd's knife.

31st October 2019, 01:58 AM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Only those two were bought by the Tsar himself from a Bakhchisarai knifemaker in 1837:-)