Another Bedouin Sabre?

Iliad · 27th May 2009, 10:45 AM

Hi guys, thanks heaps for the info on the Bedouin Sabre posted a day or so ago. What can you tell me about this one?
Brian

TVV · 27th May 2009, 06:31 PM

Brian,
The markings on the blade look Caucasian, and the hilt distinctly from Southern Arabia. Ariel keeps reminding us that during the mid 19th century quite a few shashka blades were exported from the Caucasus to Souther Arabia, and this may be a perfect illustration of this trading.

Another nice sword, and this one appears to be of significant age.

Regards,
Teodor

ward · 27th May 2009, 06:37 PM

I agree w Teodor, the blade is Caucasian. The hilt is typical Hyderabad Arab. It's kind of a combination of Persian Arab and Indian styles.

Jim McDougall · 27th May 2009, 08:19 PM

Another beauty Brian!
And Teodor is exactly spot on, there were many Caucasian blades sent into Arabia (this is well noted in Robert Elgood's "Arms and Armour of Arabia").
The embossed silver metal hilt with wire neck wrap is the exact style of Persian shamshir type hilt I was referring to produced in India typically for export to Arabia (illustrated in G.N.Pant "Indian Arms and Armour" New Delhi, 1980). The illustration (Plate XIV) notes the right angled pommel and profile of that sabre hilt as of 'horsehead' shape, in Indian parlance.
The brisk trade between India's western coastal ports and Arabia's ports in its eastern shores carried considerable commerce, where the Arab caravans took materials to the west, certainly meeting various Bedouin tribes along the way.

One thing I would like to reaffirm on the hilts is that these exactly right angled shamshir style hilts are actually subtly different than the Syrian style examples. The Syrian (I have often seen termed 'Baddawi style') hilts can be seen with the side extended pommel projecting somewhat downward.

The markings on the blade, I believe are somewhat similar to marks commonly seen on qama's and some weapons seen in the Ottoman realms, it seems on Azerbijian examples but cannot place at the moment. It seems these may have become rather generic interpretations of makers marks applied on export blades much as with the European markings.

I think the Bedouin weapons often reflect the same anachronistic and sometimes almost crude charm that is one of the most fascinating aspects of ethnographic weapons. It always amazes me that even well into the 20th century, the Bedouin warriors used the sabre and the matchlock gun, as if time had stood still.....for us romantics, what a wonderful notion !

All the best,
Jim

P.S. In relooking at Brians example, I know it doesnt look like a horsehead, but actually seems to almost have a birdhead type look.

27th May 2009, 10:45 AM	#1
Iliad Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 187	Another Bedouin Sabre? Hi guys, thanks heaps for the info on the Bedouin Sabre posted a day or so ago. What can you tell me about this one? Brian Attached Images

27th May 2009, 06:31 PM	#2
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,625	Brian, The markings on the blade look Caucasian, and the hilt distinctly from Southern Arabia. Ariel keeps reminding us that during the mid 19th century quite a few shashka blades were exported from the Caucasus to Souther Arabia, and this may be a perfect illustration of this trading. Another nice sword, and this one appears to be of significant age. Regards, Teodor

27th May 2009, 06:37 PM	#3
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	I agree w Teodor, the blade is Caucasian. The hilt is typical Hyderabad Arab. It's kind of a combination of Persian Arab and Indian styles.

27th May 2009, 08:19 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,951	Another beauty Brian! And Teodor is exactly spot on, there were many Caucasian blades sent into Arabia (this is well noted in Robert Elgood's "Arms and Armour of Arabia"). The embossed silver metal hilt with wire neck wrap is the exact style of Persian shamshir type hilt I was referring to produced in India typically for export to Arabia (illustrated in G.N.Pant "Indian Arms and Armour" New Delhi, 1980). The illustration (Plate XIV) notes the right angled pommel and profile of that sabre hilt as of 'horsehead' shape, in Indian parlance. The brisk trade between India's western coastal ports and Arabia's ports in its eastern shores carried considerable commerce, where the Arab caravans took materials to the west, certainly meeting various Bedouin tribes along the way. One thing I would like to reaffirm on the hilts is that these exactly right angled shamshir style hilts are actually subtly different than the Syrian style examples. The Syrian (I have often seen termed 'Baddawi style') hilts can be seen with the side extended pommel projecting somewhat downward. The markings on the blade, I believe are somewhat similar to marks commonly seen on qama's and some weapons seen in the Ottoman realms, it seems on Azerbijian examples but cannot place at the moment. It seems these may have become rather generic interpretations of makers marks applied on export blades much as with the European markings. I think the Bedouin weapons often reflect the same anachronistic and sometimes almost crude charm that is one of the most fascinating aspects of ethnographic weapons. It always amazes me that even well into the 20th century, the Bedouin warriors used the sabre and the matchlock gun, as if time had stood still.....for us romantics, what a wonderful notion ! All the best, Jim P.S. In relooking at Brians example, I know it doesnt look like a horsehead, but actually seems to almost have a birdhead type look.