Greek Yataghan, North African Use?

TVV · 4th May 2019, 11:43 PM

To me this yataghan looks like it was made in mainland Greece or Crete based on the bolster and the blade. I do not see a date, but these blades with the star of Solomon and inscriptions surrounded by this kind of floral engravings tend to date from the late 18th and early 19th century. What intrigues me is the lanyard attached to the hilt - it looks like something from the Maghreb. Is it possible that this was at one point exported to Algeria for use there?

Teodor

Battara · 5th May 2019, 03:51 AM

I would agree with Crete and possibly Greece. The lanyard style is one which is similar to a lanyard tassel that I have on my Turkish kard.

Kubur · 5th May 2019, 11:20 AM

If my opinion counts:

Your yataghan might be Greek but it might be Turkish too.
Your lanyard is Ottoman Turkish to me.

Regards,
Kubur

TVV · 5th May 2019, 08:53 PM

Thank you Gentlemen, I have my answer on the lanyard.

Teodor

eftihis · 6th May 2019, 02:53 PM

Hi there is big similarity with yataghans from Algeria and the ones from the Greek islands. They copied the Algerian style as well the Algerian dress. So this lanyard reminds buttons from Cretan dress, but this in turn is very similar to the Algerian as well with some other areas of the ottoman world.This is becase the Barbary states were superpower at that time, and also because Algerian troops were used as invading troops during the Venetian-Turkish war that led to the conquest of Crete.

TVV · 7th May 2019, 07:11 AM

Thank you Eftihis, I was so focused on Ottoman troops going to Algeria that I had not considered the possibility of troops from Algeria going the other way.

4th May 2019, 11:43 PM	#1
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,623	Greek Yataghan, North African Use? To me this yataghan looks like it was made in mainland Greece or Crete based on the bolster and the blade. I do not see a date, but these blades with the star of Solomon and inscriptions surrounded by this kind of floral engravings tend to date from the late 18th and early 19th century. What intrigues me is the lanyard attached to the hilt - it looks like something from the Maghreb. Is it possible that this was at one point exported to Algeria for use there? Teodor Attached Images

5th May 2019, 03:51 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,220	I would agree with Crete and possibly Greece. The lanyard style is one which is similar to a lanyard tassel that I have on my Turkish kard.

5th May 2019, 11:20 AM	#3
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	If my opinion counts: Your yataghan might be Greek but it might be Turkish too. Your lanyard is Ottoman Turkish to me. Regards, Kubur

5th May 2019, 08:53 PM	#4
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,623	Thank you Gentlemen, I have my answer on the lanyard. Teodor

6th May 2019, 02:53 PM	#5
eftihis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chania Crete Greece Posts: 507	Hi there is big similarity with yataghans from Algeria and the ones from the Greek islands. They copied the Algerian style as well the Algerian dress. So this lanyard reminds buttons from Cretan dress, but this in turn is very similar to the Algerian as well with some other areas of the ottoman world.This is becase the Barbary states were superpower at that time, and also because Algerian troops were used as invading troops during the Venetian-Turkish war that led to the conquest of Crete.

7th May 2019, 07:11 AM	#6
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,623	Thank you Eftihis, I was so focused on Ottoman troops going to Algeria that I had not considered the possibility of troops from Algeria going the other way.