Assistance requested for the translation of inscriptions on an old yataghan

laEspadaAncha · 3rd March 2010, 02:33 AM

Hello to all,

Below are some photos of a yataghan (actually, one of two) long ago acquired at auction. It was described in the auction catalog as being very old, but I am hoping the Arabic speakers here might be able to help me translate the five inscriptions on the obverse in the hopes that once of them actually dates this sword.

The sword itself is of all-steel construction, and its size makes me wonder if it was meant for use on horseback, as it measures over 80 cm (31 5/8") in length with a 67+ cm (26.5") blade of a heavy T cross-section (9.5 mm spine near the hilt). The steel hilt is engraved on both sides with a motif of a repeating pattern consisting of multiple fleur de lys and the Seal of Solomon. There are remnants of inlay all over the sword, and the reverse, which while absent of inscriptions contains a much more complex decorative design, maintains a significant amount of the original inlay.

On to the inscriptions...

As mentioned, there are five inscriptions on the obverse. Numbering them 1-5 (right to left), #5, the inscription closest to the hilt, looks as if it may be a date. I have posted photos below, and beneath each, have indicated which inscription can be seen in the photo. Due to the restriction of the number of photos one can attach to a post, I only have shown inscriptions 3-5 below so as to also show some of the other design work on the sword which may serve as indicators to validate a possible translation of age.

The sword:

The hilt:

The design on the reverse of the blade:

Inscriptions #3 & 4

Inscriptions #4 & 5

Close-up of inscription #5

Thank you in advance to any and all who can help...

3rd March 2010, 02:33 AM	#1
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	Assistance requested for the translation of inscriptions on an old yataghan Hello to all, Below are some photos of a yataghan (actually, one of two) long ago acquired at auction. It was described in the auction catalog as being very old, but I am hoping the Arabic speakers here might be able to help me translate the five inscriptions on the obverse in the hopes that once of them actually dates this sword. The sword itself is of all-steel construction, and its size makes me wonder if it was meant for use on horseback, as it measures over 80 cm (31 5/8") in length with a 67+ cm (26.5") blade of a heavy T cross-section (9.5 mm spine near the hilt). The steel hilt is engraved on both sides with a motif of a repeating pattern consisting of multiple fleur de lys and the Seal of Solomon. There are remnants of inlay all over the sword, and the reverse, which while absent of inscriptions contains a much more complex decorative design, maintains a significant amount of the original inlay. On to the inscriptions... As mentioned, there are five inscriptions on the obverse. Numbering them 1-5 (right to left), #5, the inscription closest to the hilt, looks as if it may be a date. I have posted photos below, and beneath each, have indicated which inscription can be seen in the photo. Due to the restriction of the number of photos one can attach to a post, I only have shown inscriptions 3-5 below so as to also show some of the other design work on the sword which may serve as indicators to validate a possible translation of age. The sword: The hilt: The design on the reverse of the blade: Inscriptions #3 & 4 Inscriptions #4 & 5 Close-up of inscription #5 Thank you in advance to any and all who can help...