Kattara sword from Oman

Bill M · 9th June 2008, 01:25 PM

Long sword 42" OAL -- 106 cm. Comments?

I will point out a peculiar way of closing the seam in the back of the scabbard utilizing tiny springs as a repair(?)

Possibly a trade blade. Looks east African (blade) Baldric belt. Grip has been restored.

Rick · 9th June 2008, 04:49 PM

Hi Bill ,

That's a fairly common stitch found on 19thC. Ottoman type scabbards .

Bill M · 9th June 2008, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Hi Bill ,

That's a fairly common stitch found on 19thC. Ottoman type scabbards .

Didn't know that. So, I am missing a few spring closures? Heh, heh! Ha ha (for our foreign friends)

The engravings seem finely done, on the scabbard throat. Does this also look 19th century?

Lew · 9th June 2008, 06:53 PM

Hi Bill

Late 19th century I think? Very nice piece congrats.

Lew

CharlesS · 9th June 2008, 08:25 PM

A very fine example outside of the hilt restoration, and even that is very nicely done. It is exceptionally nicely mounted and with such quality mounts more than likely the hilt was once wrapped in silver cord or something like it almost having the appearance of silver snake skin, as in the attached example.

Jim McDougall · 10th June 2008, 10:00 PM

CROSS REFERENCE:

See the Manding sword thread. I noted there the Omani influence that seems to have crossed the Sahara in the trade routes. These especially nice examples of the Omani 'kattara' , but my understanding is that 'baldric' mounts are rings on opposing sides of the scabbard throat rather than the standard double ring mounts as on these.

As Rick has noted, this central and spring type stitch on the scabbard is a pretty standard type seen on Ottoman 19th century mounts, I've seen them on the slotted scabbards for the deep parabolic blades on Ottoman shamshirs.

The blade is of typical Saharan form (note the 'dukari' or opposed crescent moons as typically seen on Tuareg takoubas), the central triple fuller system and rounded point which brings another key point, these blades are characteristally spatulate tipped (rounded, for slashing).

Again, I will point out that in my opinion these Omani kattara did enter the trade routes and carry influence accordingly.

A.alnakkas · 19th September 2023, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill M

Long sword 42" OAL -- 106 cm. Comments?

I will point out a peculiar way of closing the seam in the back of the scabbard utilizing tiny springs as a repair(?)

Possibly a trade blade. Looks east African (blade) Baldric belt. Grip has been restored.

Bit of an old post but thought of noting that this variant of the Omani straight sword is very rare. The silverwork is not Omani, likely done further North in Sharqiya (Saudi) for customers ranging from local to further North to Kuwait.

Great item, would love to see more of it.

Peter Hudson · 1st October 2023, 12:46 AM

I enjoyed seeing and reading the posts however, there is one small but important point to make here... The sword at #1 is not a Kitara ...Its a Sayf.

see http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread...Bunyoro+Kitara
...

Peter Hudson.

9th June 2008, 04:49 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Wire Stitching Hi Bill , That's a fairly common stitch found on 19thC. Ottoman type scabbards . Attached Images

9th June 2008, 08:25 PM	#5
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	A very fine example outside of the hilt restoration, and even that is very nicely done. It is exceptionally nicely mounted and with such quality mounts more than likely the hilt was once wrapped in silver cord or something like it almost having the appearance of silver snake skin, as in the attached example. Attached Images

10th June 2008, 10:00 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,957	CROSS REFERENCE: See the Manding sword thread. I noted there the Omani influence that seems to have crossed the Sahara in the trade routes. These especially nice examples of the Omani 'kattara' , but my understanding is that 'baldric' mounts are rings on opposing sides of the scabbard throat rather than the standard double ring mounts as on these. As Rick has noted, this central and spring type stitch on the scabbard is a pretty standard type seen on Ottoman 19th century mounts, I've seen them on the slotted scabbards for the deep parabolic blades on Ottoman shamshirs. The blade is of typical Saharan form (note the 'dukari' or opposed crescent moons as typically seen on Tuareg takoubas), the central triple fuller system and rounded point which brings another key point, these blades are characteristally spatulate tipped (rounded, for slashing). Again, I will point out that in my opinion these Omani kattara did enter the trade routes and carry influence accordingly. Last edited by Jim McDougall; 10th June 2008 at 10:18 PM.

1st October 2023, 12:46 AM	#8
Peter Hudson Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 315	I enjoyed seeing and reading the posts however, there is one small but important point to make here... The sword at #1 is not a Kitara ...Its a Sayf. see http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread...Bunyoro+Kitara ... Peter Hudson. Last edited by Peter Hudson; 1st October 2023 at 01:03 AM.

9th June 2008, 01:25 PM	#1
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Kattara sword from Oman Long sword 42" OAL -- 106 cm. Comments? I will point out a peculiar way of closing the seam in the back of the scabbard utilizing tiny springs as a repair(?) Possibly a trade blade. Looks east African (blade) Baldric belt. Grip has been restored. Attached Images

9th June 2008, 06:53 PM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Hi Bill Late 19th century I think? Very nice piece congrats. Lew