Welcome Skarts!
All suggestions thus far are well placed, but I would submit that given the context in which this was found, chances are more likely this is indeed an Ottoman sabre rather than European. While European horseman sabres did largely follow Turkish blade forms, and of course in many cases other hilt features, it seems more likely given the region this was found more likely to be Ottoman.
Crete, like Greece, was under Turkish dominion and there were many rebellions against this rule in the 18th century. After 1832 Egypt, also Ottoman ruled took over in Crete. During these long occupations it does not seem unreasonable that these Ottoman swords would be present there.
Excellent comparison by Gene on the shamshir blade which has similar cross section, and the attribution to India which also saw use of these type blades in degree via trade and diplomatic situations with the Ottomans in the 19th c.
All best regards,
Jim
|