Ethnographic Arms & Armour - Help with a Yataghan please?

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Help with a Yataghan please?

Hello friends,
Just won a Yataghan on Ebay, and I've no experience with them. I've been searching this forum, and Artzi's very fine site to see what I could learn. Won't receive it for a few days, but the auction is here. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=230365189113

It looks a bit similar in general form to this one on Oriental Arms.
http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/photos.php?id=3254

So it's Turkish maybe, instead of Balkan? Any thoughts appreciated.

With regards to cleaning and preservation, I plan to use just silver polish to take the dirt and tarnish off of the silver and gold koftgari. I assume I won't be able to etch the blade without hurting the koftgari?

Thanks!
Steve Ferguson

Good job Steve, I saw this one had a reserve and I decided to pass on it, but I am glad you were able to get the reserve lifted.
The ears are big, which is characteristic of the Balkans. The bolster shape and decoration looks like a group of yataghans in Astvatsaturian's book, which she classifies as coming from Istanbul, the capital of the Empire. The blade decoration and inscriptions are also consistent with this "Stambuli" type.
Silver polish or simply alcohol may be enough to clean the koftgari, without any damage. As for etching - you can always try to rub the acid solution on the areas of the blade around the inscriptions with a cloth, instead of soaking the whole blade and risking damage. There are certain blades that are more likely than others to have a turkish ribbon pattern, and in my experience, this blade is not among them, so the chances for finding a nice pattern are low. However, with yataghans you never really know.
A great acquisition, especially considering the price.
Best regards,
Teodor

Thank you for the very good information Teodor,
I've much to learn. :)

My bid didn't meet the reserve, but the very kind gentleman sent me a second chance offer saying that he wanted the sword to go to someone who would appreciate it. I will!

Never thought I would own a Yataghan. :D

Steve

Photos from the auction.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...08-09-2009.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...08-09-2009.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...08-09-2009.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...08-09-2009.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...08-09-2009.jpg

Steve,
Are you sure you did not overpay?

:-)

Nice Steve .

Ariel, I think he mugged the guy . ;) :D

I WAS without a doubt, very lucky. I put in a bid knowing that it would go nowhere.

Steve

Hi Steve,
"I'll take a dozen. Wait a minute, on second thoughts make that two dozen". :D :D

Nice going.
My Regards,
Norman.

wow, really nice snag, bro!

looks like it's well decorated and any etching should be restricted to a small test area well away from the decorations.

No way! You've got to be kidding me! Fantastc buy, Steve! Have'nt had a bargain buy like that in over a decade. Very nice piece! Too bad there wasn't another for my pirate collection (Barbary corsairs and what not- ;) )

It was a steal bud. ;)

Congrats

If you flip the blade, there is a date : 1256=1840. Or, is it my fantasy?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

If you flip the blade, there is a date : 1256=1840. Or, is it my fantasy?

What language would it be Ariel?

Thanks!
Steve