Quote:
Originally Posted by Orang Lama
I don't have my copy of "Swordsmen of the British Empire" to hand right now, but IIRC it contains an eyewitness account of a nineteenth century British navy attack on a Zanzibari/Omani slaving vessel where it is explicitly stated that this type of sword was used by the vessel's crew.
I also recall reading a travelogue through Egypt, Sudan, and the Gulf states from the 1950s/1960s where the writer describes a sheikh vibrating his sword blade. The writer made a point of noting that he had examined the sword beforehand and ascertained that the blade was extremely stiff and difficult to bend. He was at a loss to explain how exactly the trick was done. Both the writer's description and the accompanying photograph made it clear that the sword in question was an Omani saif.
|
Thank you for this, as it is a contemporary source from the time when these swords were used in battle. The fact that a century later they have become a purely ceremonial object does not change the historical evidence of their use.