An Interesting Trabzon Knife

CharlesS · 30th June 2012, 06:16 PM

This looks to be a very interesting dagger/knife from the Trabzon region of Turkey. Were the bolster a little different and more yataghan or kard-like I would be even more sure, but the odd little guard on it is very unusual, I believe, for this region.

The dagger is 19in. overall, with a 13.5in wide and multi-fullered blade with an upturned tip. The blade features some crude-ish floral motifs at the forte. The hilt is yat style and of horn, with woven leather bands.

The scabbard here is newly made for this piece.

Would most agree it is from Trabzon???

Norman McCormick · 30th June 2012, 08:40 PM

Hi Charles,
Certainly looks Trabzon to me. I have attached some photos of mine for a comparison. I have not seen one of these with the leather wrap on the hilt and that type of guard, different. Interesting piece.
My Regards,
Norman.

Lew · 1st July 2012, 11:45 PM

Charles

My vote is Trabzon also. Here is mine

.

ariel · 2nd July 2012, 12:56 AM

The pattern of leather bands weaving is virtually identical to Laz Bichaqs.
Same area.

Jim McDougall · 2nd July 2012, 01:00 AM

It is interesting to see these kind of cleft hilts with similar profile in some Transcaucasian short swords, which were among the groupings which included the well known 'Black Sea Yataghan' (Laz bichaqi). These were depicted in the 1897 Hungarian reference cited in "The Origins of the Shashka" (Jacobsen & Triikman, Denmark, 1941).

30th June 2012, 06:16 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	An Interesting Trabzon Knife This looks to be a very interesting dagger/knife from the Trabzon region of Turkey. Were the bolster a little different and more yataghan or kard-like I would be even more sure, but the odd little guard on it is very unusual, I believe, for this region. The dagger is 19in. overall, with a 13.5in wide and multi-fullered blade with an upturned tip. The blade features some crude-ish floral motifs at the forte. The hilt is yat style and of horn, with woven leather bands. The scabbard here is newly made for this piece. Would most agree it is from Trabzon??? Attached Images Last edited by CharlesS; 1st July 2012 at 05:24 PM.

30th June 2012, 08:40 PM	#2
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,597	Hi Charles, Certainly looks Trabzon to me. I have attached some photos of mine for a comparison. I have not seen one of these with the leather wrap on the hilt and that type of guard, different. Interesting piece. My Regards, Norman. Attached Images

1st July 2012, 11:45 PM	#3
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Charles My vote is Trabzon also. Here is mine . Attached Images

2nd July 2012, 12:56 AM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	The pattern of leather bands weaving is virtually identical to Laz Bichaqs. Same area.

2nd July 2012, 01:00 AM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,945	It is interesting to see these kind of cleft hilts with similar profile in some Transcaucasian short swords, which were among the groupings which included the well known 'Black Sea Yataghan' (Laz bichaqi). These were depicted in the 1897 Hungarian reference cited in "The Origins of the Shashka" (Jacobsen & Triikman, Denmark, 1941).