2 Ottoman Swords

drac2k · 21st August 2022, 05:30 PM

The first sword is a yataghan with a horn handle. The blade is inscribed with what looks like a date of 1191, but the rest is pretty worn The other one appears to be a kilij. Nothing fancy except the file work on the blade; no markings, horn handle, brass guard, with a pewter, or lead pommel.
The kilij becomes special when held in the hand; the heavy pewter or lead pommel almost acts like a counterweight to the sword and makes it wonderfully balanced. It has a robust, but not inordinately long(25"), or heavy blade which makes me feel like this would be for infantry and a fast blade as well as a chopper.

francantolin · 21st August 2022, 09:44 PM

Hello,
Really nice items !
Congratulations !!
( and what about the upper yatagan with unusual hilt ?)

Did you try to etch the kilij blade ?
It seems there is a pattern ...

drac2k · 22nd August 2022, 12:05 AM

Thanks.
I snuck in the upper yataghan which I had previously posted in "Non-Standard Yataghan," hoping someone might see it here whereas they might have missed it before so as to give me some information on it.
I agree, that it looks like something is going on with the kilij blade, but due to my limitations, "I leave well enough alone, "lol.

werecow · 27th August 2022, 12:55 AM

I don't think I've ever seen a pommel like that on an Ottoman pala or kilij before. Very interesting. Must change the balance of a sword like that quite a bit.

drac2k · 27th August 2022, 04:45 AM

It is a great counterweight to the blade; very well balanced and it provides a good grip, that wouldn't easily be lost.

drac2k · 2nd September 2022, 08:20 PM

Speaking of Yataghans, I just saw two on HBO's new series "The House of the Dragon," (it seems a bit slow at this point). I know that most if not the entire forum are probably too sophisticated for that show, however for those few plebians like myself, if you watch episode 2, you will see Daemon Targaryen with a silver hilted one and Corlys Velaryon with a horn handle sword.
Just another example of one with too much idle time.

10thRoyal · 30th May 2023, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drac2k

The first sword is a yataghan with a horn handle. The blade is inscribed with what looks like a date of 1191, but the rest is pretty worn The other one appears to be a kilij. Nothing fancy except the file work on the blade; no markings, horn handle, brass guard, with a pewter, or lead pommel.
.

I apologize if this came up in your other post but the date looks like it is ١‎١٩٣‎ in ‎‎Eastern Arabic numerals. That would be the year 1193 in the Hijri calendar which converts to about 1779 in the Gregorian Calendar. This is based on my still limited amount of experience so experts have mercy on me

drac2k · 31st May 2023, 03:46 AM

Thanks for all of the recent comments and information.

21st August 2022, 05:30 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	2 Ottoman Swords The first sword is a yataghan with a horn handle. The blade is inscribed with what looks like a date of 1191, but the rest is pretty worn The other one appears to be a kilij. Nothing fancy except the file work on the blade; no markings, horn handle, brass guard, with a pewter, or lead pommel. The kilij becomes special when held in the hand; the heavy pewter or lead pommel almost acts like a counterweight to the sword and makes it wonderfully balanced. It has a robust, but not inordinately long(25"), or heavy blade which makes me feel like this would be for infantry and a fast blade as well as a chopper. Attached Images

22nd August 2022, 12:05 AM	#3
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Thanks. I snuck in the upper yataghan which I had previously posted in "Non-Standard Yataghan," hoping someone might see it here whereas they might have missed it before so as to give me some information on it. I agree, that it looks like something is going on with the kilij blade, but due to my limitations, "I leave well enough alone, "lol. Last edited by drac2k; 22nd August 2022 at 12:06 AM. Reason: spelling correction

2nd September 2022, 08:20 PM	#6
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Speaking of Yataghans, I just saw two on HBO's new series "The House of the Dragon," (it seems a bit slow at this point). I know that most if not the entire forum are probably too sophisticated for that show, however for those few plebians like myself, if you watch episode 2, you will see Daemon Targaryen with a silver hilted one and Corlys Velaryon with a horn handle sword. Just another example of one with too much idle time. Last edited by drac2k; 2nd September 2022 at 08:21 PM. Reason: to add information

21st August 2022, 09:44 PM	#2
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 873	Hello, Really nice items ! Congratulations !! ( and what about the upper yatagan with unusual hilt ?) Did you try to etch the kilij blade ? It seems there is a pattern ...

27th August 2022, 12:55 AM	#4
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 493	I don't think I've ever seen a pommel like that on an Ottoman pala or kilij before. Very interesting. Must change the balance of a sword like that quite a bit.

27th August 2022, 04:45 AM	#5
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	It is a great counterweight to the blade; very well balanced and it provides a good grip, that wouldn't easily be lost.

31st May 2023, 03:46 AM	#8
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Thanks for all of the recent comments and information.