A Saudia-Yemeni Sword.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by drac2k

I have found your post fascinating and I will ask your forgiveness in advance for focusing on a trivial aspect ;that of a hole drilled in the tip of one of the swords in your pictures.
I have, with some frequency found holes drilled into tulwars and tuareg swords, usually in the middle.I have attributed this to imbeciles who couldn't figure any other way to hang a sword from a wall. I know this to be true in one case, when a man showed me his U.S. naval cutlass and he confessed upon questioning that he was in fact the culprit who drilled the sword.
Is there any other explanation for the holes in the swords, especially those of Middle Eastern or African origin ?
Regards,
David

Salaams drac2k ~ Whilst I cannot speak for the hole you describe in the US Naval Cutlass .. Holes in " Middle Eastern, African, Persian and Indian" blades are interesting since they are normally filled with copper or brass ( occasionally gold) however, the precise reason for this is unclear. Other filled dots appear nearer the hilt and can be configured usually one or three. They may be talismanic or define a good blade or brave owner? Certainly one and three are good talismans. Swords at the Topkapi exhibit these dots.. and I recently placed a dotted Khanjar blade with two triple dots at the throat on http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...8&page=4&pp=30
Anyway, it is always nice to discover a blade with dots, though, perhaps the blade makers simply enhanced the blades worth by adding these.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.