Interesting Saif with Provenance for Sharing

A.alnakkas · 25th June 2015, 01:04 AM

Hello All,

I recently acquired this saif. Its one of my finer examples, with fittings made of gold, and with a chape made from a layer of silver under a layer of gold. Its in traditional style, an early 20th century sword, likely commissioned by the Saudi government rather than a pre-Saudi saif.

The blade is interesting, at a glimpse it looks European but I have a 'feeling' that its not. It simply does not feel (yes feel) like any of the European blades in my collection. Unless someone here can recognize the pattern?

This sword was gifted by the Saudi government to Wilton Persons, the white house chief of staff during the presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower. These are not made to be gifted, rather made for use in the Saudi government at that era, and these are mainly carried by the royal guard seen in many photos. Although such examples are older than the formation of the Saudi state, this one as mentioned before, is likely made during the early years of Saud rule.

Sorry about the poor quality photos. Taken by cell phone.

Kubur · 25th June 2015, 07:32 AM

Hi,
Very nice Arabian sayf! For me, your blade is French or German, very late 18th or first part of the 19th c. Do you have some marks on the blade?
Best,
Kubur

A.alnakkas · 25th June 2015, 05:19 PM

Hey Kubur,

There are no marks on the blade. Though this means little as Saudis often polish blades until its bright, removing etchings and marks in the process.

I thought German first, but are German blades made very stiff? I had German blades in this shape and different shapes as well, never this stiff!

Kubur · 25th June 2015, 06:25 PM

I have an early Napoleonic blade almost like yours. But I don't know if the French continued to produce this kind of blade during the 19th c. ...

A.alnakkas · 25th June 2015, 08:13 PM

Can I see the sabre, Kubur?

Check this post, I have posted a saif in it with a Persian blade that has 'European' features.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=18436

Kubur · 25th June 2015, 08:49 PM

It's not a nice photo, but better than nothing. If it's really an early French sword, then I know exactly how the blade went to SA.
Best,
Kubur

25th June 2015, 01:04 AM	#1
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	Interesting Saif with Provenance for Sharing Hello All, I recently acquired this saif. Its one of my finer examples, with fittings made of gold, and with a chape made from a layer of silver under a layer of gold. Its in traditional style, an early 20th century sword, likely commissioned by the Saudi government rather than a pre-Saudi saif. The blade is interesting, at a glimpse it looks European but I have a 'feeling' that its not. It simply does not feel (yes feel) like any of the European blades in my collection. Unless someone here can recognize the pattern? This sword was gifted by the Saudi government to Wilton Persons, the white house chief of staff during the presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower. These are not made to be gifted, rather made for use in the Saudi government at that era, and these are mainly carried by the royal guard seen in many photos. Although such examples are older than the formation of the Saudi state, this one as mentioned before, is likely made during the early years of Saud rule. Sorry about the poor quality photos. Taken by cell phone. Attached Images

25th June 2015, 08:49 PM	#6
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	It's not a nice photo, but better than nothing. If it's really an early French sword, then I know exactly how the blade went to SA. Best, Kubur Attached Images

25th June 2015, 07:32 AM	#2
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Hi, Very nice Arabian sayf! For me, your blade is French or German, very late 18th or first part of the 19th c. Do you have some marks on the blade? Best, Kubur

25th June 2015, 05:19 PM	#3
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	Hey Kubur, There are no marks on the blade. Though this means little as Saudis often polish blades until its bright, removing etchings and marks in the process. I thought German first, but are German blades made very stiff? I had German blades in this shape and different shapes as well, never this stiff!

25th June 2015, 06:25 PM	#4
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	I have an early Napoleonic blade almost like yours. But I don't know if the French continued to produce this kind of blade during the 19th c. ...

25th June 2015, 08:13 PM	#5
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	Can I see the sabre, Kubur? Check this post, I have posted a saif in it with a Persian blade that has 'European' features. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=18436