Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Jim McDougall · 3rd July 2009, 09:17 PM

Hi Eftihis,
What an interesting topic! and maybe we can awaken Yannis to see if he could shed some light here as he knows this stuff inside out! While its a bit off the beaten path for me, its an intriguing question and I'll look too as we wait for other replies.
It seems that the Ottomans weaponry, as with many ethnographic types, remained pretty much in use over long periods, and for example, huge stores of arms were warehoused in places such as the armoury in Istanbul.
Good question on use of the yataghan vs. the pala/kilij and I think we need to look into the term pala vs. kilij to reiterate the differences,
Also, based on differences what forces were more likely to use them and find out more on the Janissaries, and thier weaponry. I know Osprey has titles on these and Ottoman forces over extended periods.
"Russian Military swords" by Mollo ( I think it was Eugene who wrote it) is great on swords but wont help much on uniforms (except for sword knots

All the best,
Jim

PS Just found it online
"Armies of the Ottoman Empire 1775-1820" Osprey publications
Man at Arms #314..available at Amazon

Doesnt preclude discussion here I hope, and possibly somebody out there has this title and might share some information to help out here.

3rd July 2009, 09:17 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,191	Hi Eftihis, What an interesting topic! and maybe we can awaken Yannis to see if he could shed some light here as he knows this stuff inside out! While its a bit off the beaten path for me, its an intriguing question and I'll look too as we wait for other replies. It seems that the Ottomans weaponry, as with many ethnographic types, remained pretty much in use over long periods, and for example, huge stores of arms were warehoused in places such as the armoury in Istanbul. Good question on use of the yataghan vs. the pala/kilij and I think we need to look into the term pala vs. kilij to reiterate the differences, Also, based on differences what forces were more likely to use them and find out more on the Janissaries, and thier weaponry. I know Osprey has titles on these and Ottoman forces over extended periods. "Russian Military swords" by Mollo ( I think it was Eugene who wrote it) is great on swords but wont help much on uniforms (except for sword knots All the best, Jim PS Just found it online "Armies of the Ottoman Empire 1775-1820" Osprey publications Man at Arms #314..available at Amazon Doesnt preclude discussion here I hope, and possibly somebody out there has this title and might share some information to help out here.