Plain Jane Yataghan Origin Requested

Athanase · 5th February 2021, 05:54 PM

Hello,

I am not at all a Yatagan specialist but I acquired one 1 week ago in a batch of Indonesian weapons. It is also very simple, very similar in construction, except that the brass of the handle is replaced by a white metal with the same zigzag decoration as the copper of the scabbard (I have also a Bichaq with the same construction). The only visible mark is the date 1877 marked in small dotted lines on each side of the blade. I suspect my specimen was not made for a soldier, but to be sold as a souvenir.

RobT · 6th February 2021, 08:57 PM

David R
You have a good point. Save for the motif on the sheath throat, my piece is certainly without any inscription or decoration. So, unless somebody knows of an area where yataghans are made without embellishment, I may be out of luck.

Athanase,
I don't know what your yataghan looks like but I don't believe the one I have was meant as a souvenir for the following reasons: The blade on mine is well forged and well shaped and the hilt is solidly mounted to the tang. The wear patterns on all components indicate use and carry. And finally, there is an absence of any bling. Why would anyone go to all the hard work of making a combat ready item as a souvenir and then not provide it with the eye candy (no matter how tawdry) designed to catch the tourist's eye? Perhaps you could provide a photo of your yataghan for examination and comment? You may have judged it too harshly.
Sincerely,
RobT

Athanase · 6th February 2021, 11:32 PM

I re-looked at the photos of your Yatagan, and indeed your blade is much better than mine. But the scabbard the same construction. Of course when I was talking about a souvenir weapon I was talking about mine. I'm trying to take pictures on Sunday.

RobT · 7th February 2021, 04:06 AM

Athanase,

I look forward to the photos of your yataghan. The sheath for your blade may provide a clue of origin. If yours is very similar to mine and you are sure that yours is from Indonesia, then I have a starting point for further research.

Sincerely,
RobT

Athanase · 7th February 2021, 10:14 AM

Hello,

I must have expressed myself in a confusing way (I'm not good at English).
I bought my Yatagan in France, in a group of Indonesian weapons (tombak, keris ...), the seller had everything mixed up. But it is clear that my Yatagan is from the Ottoman Empire and not from Indonesia.

6th February 2021, 08:57 PM	#2
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 533	Thanks For The Responses David R You have a good point. Save for the motif on the sheath throat, my piece is certainly without any inscription or decoration. So, unless somebody knows of an area where yataghans are made without embellishment, I may be out of luck. Athanase, I don't know what your yataghan looks like but I don't believe the one I have was meant as a souvenir for the following reasons: The blade on mine is well forged and well shaped and the hilt is solidly mounted to the tang. The wear patterns on all components indicate use and carry. And finally, there is an absence of any bling. Why would anyone go to all the hard work of making a combat ready item as a souvenir and then not provide it with the eye candy (no matter how tawdry) designed to catch the tourist's eye? Perhaps you could provide a photo of your yataghan for examination and comment? You may have judged it too harshly. Sincerely, RobT

7th February 2021, 04:06 AM	#4
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 533	The Sheath May Hold the Clue Athanase, I look forward to the photos of your yataghan. The sheath for your blade may provide a clue of origin. If yours is very similar to mine and you are sure that yours is from Indonesia, then I have a starting point for further research. Sincerely, RobT

5th February 2021, 05:54 PM	#1
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 417	Hello, I am not at all a Yatagan specialist but I acquired one 1 week ago in a batch of Indonesian weapons. It is also very simple, very similar in construction, except that the brass of the handle is replaced by a white metal with the same zigzag decoration as the copper of the scabbard (I have also a Bichaq with the same construction). The only visible mark is the date 1877 marked in small dotted lines on each side of the blade. I suspect my specimen was not made for a soldier, but to be sold as a souvenir.

6th February 2021, 11:32 PM	#3
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 417	I re-looked at the photos of your Yatagan, and indeed your blade is much better than mine. But the scabbard the same construction. Of course when I was talking about a souvenir weapon I was talking about mine. I'm trying to take pictures on Sunday.

7th February 2021, 10:14 AM	#5
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 417	Hello, I must have expressed myself in a confusing way (I'm not good at English). I bought my Yatagan in France, in a group of Indonesian weapons (tombak, keris ...), the seller had everything mixed up. But it is clear that my Yatagan is from the Ottoman Empire and not from Indonesia.