shamshir:persian or turkish? good or not?

Philip · 18th March 2008, 05:09 AM

From what I see in the pics, it is indeed a shamshir of Turkish style*. Judging from the narrowness and deep curve of blade, it looks like a later style, well into the 19th century. It appears that the two suspension rings (for the cords that hang the weapon from the belt or over the shoulder) are missing from the scabbard-fittings.

Whether it is a good one or not depends largely on the quality of the steel in the blade. Is there a visible "damascus" pattern (either crystalline "jauhar" or mechanical pattern-weld or lamination)? Got any close up pics?

Thanks for posting this one.

*Turkish (Ottoman) style mountings are characterized by the pistol-shaped grip without metal pommel-cap, a markedly cross-shaped guard, and a narrow but thick scabbard with a dorsal slot at the throat to accommodate the blade. The scabbard fittings tend to be large, covering a good deal of the length, as opposed to the much smaller Persian style mounts. Turkish shamshirs of this period are typically fitted up in brass or silver hardware, whereas the Persians preferred steel. In any case, the shamshir blades of both cultures have an essentially identical form.

18th March 2008, 05:09 AM	#2
Philip Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,036	From what I see in the pics, it is indeed a shamshir of Turkish style. Judging from the narrowness and deep curve of blade, it looks like a later style, well into the 19th century. It appears that the two suspension rings (for the cords that hang the weapon from the belt or over the shoulder) are missing from the scabbard-fittings. Whether it is a good one or not depends largely on the quality of the steel in the blade. Is there a visible "damascus" pattern (either crystalline "jauhar" or mechanical pattern-weld or lamination)? Got any close up pics? Thanks for posting this one. Turkish (Ottoman) style mountings are characterized by the pistol-shaped grip without metal pommel-cap, a markedly cross-shaped guard, and a narrow but thick scabbard with a dorsal slot at the throat to accommodate the blade. The scabbard fittings tend to be large, covering a good deal of the length, as opposed to the much smaller Persian style mounts. Turkish shamshirs of this period are typically fitted up in brass or silver hardware, whereas the Persians preferred steel. In any case, the shamshir blades of both cultures have an essentially identical form.