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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Kernersville, NC, USA
Posts: 793
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Hello friends,
Just won a Yataghan on Ebay, and I've no experience with them. I've been searching this forum, and Artzi's very fine site to see what I could learn. Won't receive it for a few days, but the auction is here. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=230365189113 It looks a bit similar in general form to this one on Oriental Arms. http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/photos.php?id=3254 So it's Turkish maybe, instead of Balkan? Any thoughts appreciated. With regards to cleaning and preservation, I plan to use just silver polish to take the dirt and tarnish off of the silver and gold koftgari. I assume I won't be able to etch the blade without hurting the koftgari? Thanks! Steve Ferguson |
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#2 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 1,614
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Good job Steve, I saw this one had a reserve and I decided to pass on it, but I am glad you were able to get the reserve lifted.
The ears are big, which is characteristic of the Balkans. The bolster shape and decoration looks like a group of yataghans in Astvatsaturian's book, which she classifies as coming from Istanbul, the capital of the Empire. The blade decoration and inscriptions are also consistent with this "Stambuli" type. Silver polish or simply alcohol may be enough to clean the koftgari, without any damage. As for etching - you can always try to rub the acid solution on the areas of the blade around the inscriptions with a cloth, instead of soaking the whole blade and risking damage. There are certain blades that are more likely than others to have a turkish ribbon pattern, and in my experience, this blade is not among them, so the chances for finding a nice pattern are low. However, with yataghans you never really know. A great acquisition, especially considering the price. Best regards, Teodor Last edited by TVV; 8th August 2009 at 09:51 PM. |
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#3 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Kernersville, NC, USA
Posts: 793
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Thank you for the very good information Teodor,
I've much to learn. ![]() My bid didn't meet the reserve, but the very kind gentleman sent me a second chance offer saying that he wanted the sword to go to someone who would appreciate it. I will! Never thought I would own a Yataghan. ![]() Steve Photos from the auction. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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#4 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Kernersville, NC, USA
Posts: 793
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And the rest.
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#5 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 5,503
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Steve,
Are you sure you did not overpay? :-) |
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#6 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,287
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Nice Steve .
Ariel, I think he mugged the guy . ![]() ![]() |
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#7 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Kernersville, NC, USA
Posts: 793
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I WAS without a doubt, very lucky. I put in a bid knowing that it would go nowhere.
Steve |
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#8 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,592
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Hi Steve,
"I'll take a dozen. Wait a minute, on second thoughts make that two dozen". ![]() ![]() Nice going. My Regards, Norman. |
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#9 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Room 101, Glos. UK
Posts: 4,167
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wow, really nice snag, bro!
looks like it's well decorated and any etching should be restricted to a small test area well away from the decorations. |
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#10 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NC, U.S.A.
Posts: 2,087
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No way! You've got to be kidding me! Fantastc buy, Steve! Have'nt had a bargain buy like that in over a decade. Very nice piece! Too bad there wasn't another for my pirate collection (Barbary corsairs and what not-
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#11 |
(deceased)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 3,191
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It was a steal bud.
![]() Congrats |
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#12 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Kernersville, NC, USA
Posts: 793
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Thanks all. Finally got around to taking some pictures. The blade is monosteel, and a lot of the koftgari has worn off, but I'm still exceedingly lucky to have it.
Steve ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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#13 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 5,503
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If you flip the blade, there is a date : 1256=1840. Or, is it my fantasy?
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#14 | |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Kernersville, NC, USA
Posts: 793
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![]() Quote:
Thanks! Steve |
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