Yataghan origin requested

drac2k · 20th March 2019, 08:50 PM

I picked up this yataghan this weekend and I was wondering about its origins. The blade is 26" long and it has an armory mark on one side and a picture of a sword on the other. It looks like it has gone through numerous repairs throughout its lifetime.
Any guesses where it came from?

drac2k · 20th March 2019, 08:54 PM

A closer posting of the armory mark.

sfenoid13 · 21st March 2019, 06:24 AM

I believe it’s pre 1850, from Balkans , possibly Bulgaria Ottoman.
The makers mark, not an armory mark is an early type. The sword drawing on the back is something I have not seen but could be a symbol for Zulfikar, the famous sword of Ali, which is mentioned on many Yatagans to bring good luck or blessings from God as a way of supplication.

Kubur · 21st March 2019, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfenoid13

I believe it’s pre 1850, from Balkans , possibly Bulgaria Ottoman.

I'm not sure too, could be Balkans, Bulgaria, maybe Turkey?

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfenoid13

The sword symbol for Zulfikar, the famous sword of Ali, which is mentioned on many Yatagans to bring good luck or blessings from God as a way of supplication.

In fact symbol of Bektashi and janisseries... then the iconography was spread all over Ottoman arms... see my post on the pala... not understood by some members...

drac2k · 21st March 2019, 04:03 PM

Thank you both for your comments and I will read your "pala," post. In regards to the sword possibly being pre-1850, I think this could possibly be so; the furnishings are simple and show numerous repairs, however, the blade, in my estimation far exceeds the whole.

ariel · 21st March 2019, 04:47 PM

Astvatsaturyan in her Russian book on Turkish weapons lumps yataghans with the image of a sword on the blade into a group hailing from Anatolia.
I have no idea on what grounds she reached this decision and bear no responsibility for its veracity.
I am just a reporter. Please do not shoot me.

drac2k · 21st March 2019, 07:32 PM

Thank you for the information.

20th March 2019, 08:50 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Yataghan origin requested I picked up this yataghan this weekend and I was wondering about its origins. The blade is 26" long and it has an armory mark on one side and a picture of a sword on the other. It looks like it has gone through numerous repairs throughout its lifetime. Any guesses where it came from? Attached Images

20th March 2019, 08:54 PM	#2
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	A closer posting of the armory mark. Attached Images

21st March 2019, 06:24 AM	#3
sfenoid13 Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 134	I believe it’s pre 1850, from Balkans , possibly Bulgaria Ottoman. The makers mark, not an armory mark is an early type. The sword drawing on the back is something I have not seen but could be a symbol for Zulfikar, the famous sword of Ali, which is mentioned on many Yatagans to bring good luck or blessings from God as a way of supplication.

21st March 2019, 04:03 PM	#5
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Thank you both for your comments and I will read your "pala," post. In regards to the sword possibly being pre-1850, I think this could possibly be so; the furnishings are simple and show numerous repairs, however, the blade, in my estimation far exceeds the whole.

21st March 2019, 04:47 PM	#6
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Astvatsaturyan in her Russian book on Turkish weapons lumps yataghans with the image of a sword on the blade into a group hailing from Anatolia. I have no idea on what grounds she reached this decision and bear no responsibility for its veracity. I am just a reporter. Please do not shoot me.

21st March 2019, 07:32 PM	#7
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Thank you for the information.