My first yatagan

shayde78 · 18th February 2022, 04:30 PM

I recently acquired my first ever yatagan that seemed to go unnoticed by anyone else. I have never had any first hand experience with these, so any feedback and impressions are welcome.
Some initial specs:
Overall length (in scabbard) - 32.5 inches
Overall yatagan length - 29.25 inches
Blade length - 24 inches

Has a maker's mark that I hope can narrow a place of origin (fingers crossed).
It feels well balanced and nimble inches hand. Overall, seems a proper working piece. Of course, since no one else bid on it, I ready for feedback saying it is some recent tourist junk. But it dies seem to have legit age to the scabbard and mounts, so who knows. The price was safe enough to take the chance!

Using the sellers photos (for now). Thanks in advance!

shayde78 · 18th February 2022, 04:58 PM

Some additional photos (apologies for any duplicated posting - my eyes aren't what they used to be!)

Saracen · 20th February 2022, 12:42 AM

You're lucky. This is a very good Greek Yataghan of the late 18th - early 19th century (maybe a little earlier). When you get it in your hands, take a closer look at the handle. A pleasant surprise is possible (rhino horn). There is also a very likely Turkish ribbon.

kai · 20th February 2022, 07:40 PM

I was thinking along the same lines when looking at the pics:
The hilt looks like a safe bet on rhino; any pattern-welding would be another bonus.

Good quality piece that has seen some repairs. Blade has obviously been over-cleaned recently and needs some TLC to bring out the full beauty as well as to bring overall appearance in line with original craftsmanship. Be very careful with the scabbard - based on the pics, I wouldn't try to restore it, I guess.

And please let me know in case you get bored with it...

Regards,
Kai

shayde78 · 1st March 2022, 01:01 AM

Thank you Saracen and Kai!

This is great news, and is close to what I had hoped, even if my knowledge is lacking.

I also had a degree of confidence it might be a rhino hilt.

A few additional questions:
- what are the features that allow this to be identified as Greek?
- What features lead you to believe this is at least 200 years old?
- What technique do you recommend to bring out any pattern (I.e. Turkish ribbon)? Vinegar? Coffee?
- The standard seems to be boiled leather, as it is quite hard and tooled. Any suggestions on how to preserve so it doesn't deteriorate further?
- How often does a leather scabbard survive with one of these? It isn't as precious as other examples I have seen, so it makes sense the more valuable ones survive more often than this humble example
- Any thoughts about the maker's mark?

Thanks again for sharing your expertise!
-Rob

shayde78 · 2nd May 2022, 09:40 PM

Thanks again for the feedback from the other month.
I have the item in my possession (I have for a while now). The hilt does seem to be rhino, but I have struggled to get a picture that shows the translucence.

However, since I do have it, I'm happy to provide additional photos of any features about which some of you may have interest. Simply request, and I'll do my best to provide.

Thanks!
-Rob

18th February 2022, 04:30 PM	#1
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 445	My first yatagan I recently acquired my first ever yatagan that seemed to go unnoticed by anyone else. I have never had any first hand experience with these, so any feedback and impressions are welcome. Some initial specs: Overall length (in scabbard) - 32.5 inches Overall yatagan length - 29.25 inches Blade length - 24 inches Has a maker's mark that I hope can narrow a place of origin (fingers crossed). It feels well balanced and nimble inches hand. Overall, seems a proper working piece. Of course, since no one else bid on it, I ready for feedback saying it is some recent tourist junk. But it dies seem to have legit age to the scabbard and mounts, so who knows. The price was safe enough to take the chance! Using the sellers photos (for now). Thanks in advance! Attached Images

18th February 2022, 04:58 PM	#2
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 445	Some additional photos (apologies for any duplicated posting - my eyes aren't what they used to be!) Attached Images

1st March 2022, 01:01 AM	#5
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 445	Thank you Saracen and Kai! This is great news, and is close to what I had hoped, even if my knowledge is lacking. I also had a degree of confidence it might be a rhino hilt. A few additional questions: - what are the features that allow this to be identified as Greek? - What features lead you to believe this is at least 200 years old? - What technique do you recommend to bring out any pattern (I.e. Turkish ribbon)? Vinegar? Coffee? - The standard seems to be boiled leather, as it is quite hard and tooled. Any suggestions on how to preserve so it doesn't deteriorate further? - How often does a leather scabbard survive with one of these? It isn't as precious as other examples I have seen, so it makes sense the more valuable ones survive more often than this humble example - Any thoughts about the maker's mark? Thanks again for sharing your expertise! -Rob Last edited by shayde78; 1st March 2022 at 01:02 AM. Reason: Forgot to add a question about maker's mark

20th February 2022, 12:42 AM	#3
Saracen Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 147	You're lucky. This is a very good Greek Yataghan of the late 18th - early 19th century (maybe a little earlier). When you get it in your hands, take a closer look at the handle. A pleasant surprise is possible (rhino horn). There is also a very likely Turkish ribbon.

20th February 2022, 07:40 PM	#4
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	I was thinking along the same lines when looking at the pics: The hilt looks like a safe bet on rhino; any pattern-welding would be another bonus. Good quality piece that has seen some repairs. Blade has obviously been over-cleaned recently and needs some TLC to bring out the full beauty as well as to bring overall appearance in line with original craftsmanship. Be very careful with the scabbard - based on the pics, I wouldn't try to restore it, I guess. And please let me know in case you get bored with it... Regards, Kai

2nd May 2022, 09:40 PM	#6
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 445	Thanks again for the feedback from the other month. I have the item in my possession (I have for a while now). The hilt does seem to be rhino, but I have struggled to get a picture that shows the translucence. However, since I do have it, I'm happy to provide additional photos of any features about which some of you may have interest. Simply request, and I'll do my best to provide. Thanks! -Rob