Kattaras aplenty

Michael Blalock · 19th July 2009, 07:04 PM

I found these photos of kattaras at the Sayyid Faisal bin Ali museum in Oman. Quite a collection. It would be worth the ticket just to see these swords.

http://travel.maktoob.com/vb/travel250602/

TVV · 19th July 2009, 08:40 PM

Great pictures Michael, thanks for finding and sharing them.

The picture of the curved kattars is especially interesting, as it shows a sword with a shashka-lika hilt at the bottom.

Regards,
Teodor

ariel · 19th July 2009, 09:48 PM

Is it shashka-like or nimcha-like?

TVV · 19th July 2009, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

Is it shashka-like or nimcha-like?

You and Michael are indeed right - I agree this looks like a Zanzibar saif without the guard and probably has nothing to do with a shashka (although we have not seen the blade).

fearn · 19th July 2009, 11:54 PM

Interesting how some of those look like dhas. Probably just convergence, although they were all parts of the same trading network on the Indian Ocean...

Hmmmm.......

F

CharlesS · 20th July 2009, 12:53 AM

I happen to love these. They are remarkably comfortable to handle and come in a variety of styles and quality as seen in these pics. Rsword even has one with what is apparently an Arab forged wootz blade!

The shields are not shabby either!....but the helmet does look, at least from this angle, suspiciously late.

Thanks for posting.

No offense, but I do not see a dha/dhab comparison at all.

Michael Blalock · 19th July 2009, 09:58 PM

That hilt looks like an arabian saif or nimcha without the guard to me.
These swords are refered to in the caption on the website as الكتارة "the Kattara" but this does not translate in any dictionary. I also search for the tri-consonental rootكتر ktr but got nothing. I also found them refered to as مستقيم السيف العماني "Omani Straight Swords".

colin henshaw · 20th July 2009, 08:19 PM

I used to work in Muscat, Oman in the early 1970s, when I was just beginning to become interested in antiques arms and armour. I remember well visiting the old souk in Muttrah and seeing old swords, khanjars, matchlocks, powder flasks etc., for sale for small amounts, literally in piles, the silver black with age.

If only to go back in time....

19th July 2009, 07:04 PM	#1
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Kattaras aplenty I found these photos of kattaras at the Sayyid Faisal bin Ali museum in Oman. Quite a collection. It would be worth the ticket just to see these swords. http://travel.maktoob.com/vb/travel250602/ Attached Images

19th July 2009, 09:58 PM	#7
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	That hilt looks like an arabian saif or nimcha without the guard to me. These swords are refered to in the caption on the website as الكتارة "the Kattara" but this does not translate in any dictionary. I also search for the tri-consonental rootكتر ktr but got nothing. I also found them refered to as مستقيم السيف العماني "Omani Straight Swords". Last edited by Michael Blalock; 19th July 2009 at 10:08 PM.

19th July 2009, 08:40 PM	#2
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,616	Great pictures Michael, thanks for finding and sharing them. The picture of the curved kattars is especially interesting, as it shows a sword with a shashka-lika hilt at the bottom. Regards, Teodor

19th July 2009, 09:48 PM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Is it shashka-like or nimcha-like?

19th July 2009, 11:54 PM	#5
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Interesting how some of those look like dhas. Probably just convergence, although they were all parts of the same trading network on the Indian Ocean... Hmmmm....... F

20th July 2009, 12:53 AM	#6
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	I happen to love these. They are remarkably comfortable to handle and come in a variety of styles and quality as seen in these pics. Rsword even has one with what is apparently an Arab forged wootz blade! The shields are not shabby either!....but the helmet does look, at least from this angle, suspiciously late. Thanks for posting. No offense, but I do not see a dha/dhab comparison at all.

20th July 2009, 08:19 PM	#8
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	I used to work in Muscat, Oman in the early 1970s, when I was just beginning to become interested in antiques arms and armour. I remember well visiting the old souk in Muttrah and seeing old swords, khanjars, matchlocks, powder flasks etc., for sale for small amounts, literally in piles, the silver black with age. If only to go back in time....