Yemeni/Omani Sword

Oriental-Arms · 11th May 2005, 03:52 PM

Hi all

Very interesting observations indeed but I must say I do not agree with the Bukhara attribution. In my humble opinion both are Yemeni swords. This type of sword is rather old. They were common in Yemen in the 16 to the late 18 or early 19 C. at the most and disappeared or better replaced with the Nimcha style Saif. At the mid to late 19 C. Several similar exemplars are on exhibit in the main museum of San’a’. I have not been there myself but I have good evidence from very knowledgeable colleague who visited San’a’ and examined these swords in person. The original scabbards for these type of swords usually includes a silver strip spirally bound on it. A very similar spiral binding is also common on Bukhara swords as well as other oriental swords.

From the two swords we have here, I think that the brass handled one is older, probably 18 C., with a later replaced crudely made blade. The silver handled one is later, with a 19 C. Solingen (?) made, trade blade.

Recently, similar newly made swords start to appears in the bazaars of San’a’ for the tourist market. I have somewhere in my articles drawer a copy of an tourists magazine advertising visits to Yemen, with several beautiful photos of a souvenir shop in the market, full of similar newly made swords. I hope I can find it some day and post it here.

M.carter · 11th May 2005, 06:11 PM

Here are the swords I was talking about, all from the 15th century.

"Islamic Swords and Swordsmiths"

Aqtai · 11th May 2005, 07:09 PM

According to the Arabic captions in that book, all those swords are Mamluk swords from the 2nd half of the 15th century.

I actually saw a very dilapidated edition of that book many, many years ago in the library of the faculty of Archaeology at cairo University.

M.carter · 11th May 2005, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aqtai

According to the Arabic captions in that book, all those swords are Mamluk swords from the 2nd half of the 15th century.

I actually saw a very dilapidated edition of that book many, many years ago in the library of the faculty of Archaeology at cairo University.

Thats what I said, mamluk swords from the 15th century. This book is amazing, and there is no other book in the world that covers the same subject in this detail, god bless Dr.Uncal.

Michael Blalock · 12th May 2005, 12:19 AM

I see a similarity in the following pictures.

Justin · 12th May 2005, 12:52 AM

Oriental arms mention that one of them may have a European trade blade in it,I have an old saif with what I believe is also a trade blade from Europe has a lot of flex to it ,and a very similar shape and fuller.Ill try to get a pic up for comparison if you'd like.

Michael Blalock · 12th May 2005, 01:06 AM

Please do.

M.carter · 12th May 2005, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Blalock

I see a similarity in the following pictures.

Yeah, the straight sword in the first pic you have posted is certainly of the same type of swords you have, but the other pics.... I see no resemblance, these swords are covered in detail in "Islamic Swords and Swordsmiths".

Justin · 12th May 2005, 08:37 PM

Sorry for poor resolution,if I set it any higher the pics wont go through.

11th May 2005, 03:52 PM	#1
Oriental-Arms Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Haifa, Israel Posts: 183	Bukhara ??? Hi all Very interesting observations indeed but I must say I do not agree with the Bukhara attribution. In my humble opinion both are Yemeni swords. This type of sword is rather old. They were common in Yemen in the 16 to the late 18 or early 19 C. at the most and disappeared or better replaced with the Nimcha style Saif. At the mid to late 19 C. Several similar exemplars are on exhibit in the main museum of San’a’. I have not been there myself but I have good evidence from very knowledgeable colleague who visited San’a’ and examined these swords in person. The original scabbards for these type of swords usually includes a silver strip spirally bound on it. A very similar spiral binding is also common on Bukhara swords as well as other oriental swords. From the two swords we have here, I think that the brass handled one is older, probably 18 C., with a later replaced crudely made blade. The silver handled one is later, with a 19 C. Solingen (?) made, trade blade. Recently, similar newly made swords start to appears in the bazaars of San’a’ for the tourist market. I have somewhere in my articles drawer a copy of an tourists magazine advertising visits to Yemen, with several beautiful photos of a souvenir shop in the market, full of similar newly made swords. I hope I can find it some day and post it here.

11th May 2005, 06:11 PM	#2
M.carter Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 176	Here are the swords I was talking about, all from the 15th century. "Islamic Swords and Swordsmiths" Attached Images

12th May 2005, 12:19 AM	#5
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Mamluk I see a similarity in the following pictures. Attached Images

12th May 2005, 08:37 PM	#9
Justin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 182	Sorry for poor resolution,if I set it any higher the pics wont go through. Attached Images

11th May 2005, 07:09 PM	#3
Aqtai Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Merseyside, UK Posts: 222	According to the Arabic captions in that book, all those swords are Mamluk swords from the 2nd half of the 15th century. I actually saw a very dilapidated edition of that book many, many years ago in the library of the faculty of Archaeology at cairo University.

12th May 2005, 12:52 AM	#6
Justin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 182	Oriental arms mention that one of them may have a European trade blade in it,I have an old saif with what I believe is also a trade blade from Europe has a lot of flex to it ,and a very similar shape and fuller.Ill try to get a pic up for comparison if you'd like.

12th May 2005, 01:06 AM	#7
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Please do.