"Yataghans": Louvre or fake?

Tim Simmons · 24th August 2007, 08:35 PM

I do not know where these come from but as sure as the sky is blue they are not ancient. Besides the fact that ancient artifacts like this would not be allowed to be excavated and exported, the modelling is rough and poor in my eye. It is rubbish and nothing to take seriously.

Battara · 24th August 2007, 09:23 PM

Not only do I agree with what has been said here, but the forms are not Sythian or Celtic on the hilts. Add to that the "iron" blades would look different than they do in these pictures.

As Tim verbosly said, "Nonsense"

Emanuel · 24th August 2007, 10:29 PM

Could these be modified and artificially aged karakulaks? They feature integral bolster construction and similar blades. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4825
There's plenty of ancient/mediaeval/whatever stuff buried and excavated in the Balkans. ebay has a wide variety of such knives sold from Bulgaria among other places.

TVV · 24th August 2007, 11:37 PM

I think Manolo nailed it. The integral bolster is a typical feature of karakulaks, and these are still relatively cheap and abundant. How difficult would it be to take one such knife in poor shape and "machaira"-nize it? Not too difficult, I think - just cast a hilt in some fancy shape, such as an eagle head, age artificially and you are ready to go and take some fool's money on eBay.

24th August 2007, 08:35 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,895	I do not know where these come from but as sure as the sky is blue they are not ancient. Besides the fact that ancient artifacts like this would not be allowed to be excavated and exported, the modelling is rough and poor in my eye. It is rubbish and nothing to take seriously.

24th August 2007, 09:23 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,339	Not only do I agree with what has been said here, but the forms are not Sythian or Celtic on the hilts. Add to that the "iron" blades would look different than they do in these pictures. As Tim verbosly said, "Nonsense"

24th August 2007, 10:29 PM	#3
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Could these be modified and artificially aged karakulaks? They feature integral bolster construction and similar blades. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4825 There's plenty of ancient/mediaeval/whatever stuff buried and excavated in the Balkans. ebay has a wide variety of such knives sold from Bulgaria among other places.

24th August 2007, 11:37 PM	#4
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,719	I think Manolo nailed it. The integral bolster is a typical feature of karakulaks, and these are still relatively cheap and abundant. How difficult would it be to take one such knife in poor shape and "machaira"-nize it? Not too difficult, I think - just cast a hilt in some fancy shape, such as an eagle head, age artificially and you are ready to go and take some fool's money on eBay.