24th October 2016, 10:16 PM | #1 |
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T-handle Yatagan-zeybek for comments
Hello,
I've found this sword at flea market, it was really, really rusty and I did all my best for clean it. it's quite rustic, the hilt is made from wood ( part missing ) and has worm holes. The scabbard is made from wood with brass mounts I think it's an old turkish zeybek sword but I don't have any exact idea about age and exact use/origin ( some writings talk about greek and turkish ''pirats'' with these kind of swords ) removing the rust, the blade looks like damas ( wootz ?) , what do you think ? Can anybody translate the engraving ? ( is it classic arabic calligraphy ?!? ) Kind regards and thank you Francesc'o |
26th October 2016, 06:40 AM | #2 |
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for the engravings: old turkish calligraphy orthography
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26th October 2016, 01:28 PM | #3 |
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Nice for a flea market find!
Are those mounts silver or brass? |
26th October 2016, 08:10 PM | #4 |
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Thank you Battara !
I really like to ''dig'' in flea market and it's like a game when you buy an old rusty stuff for few money: I supposed that under the rust there would be something interesting !! this time it was not bad! The scabbard mounts are from brass, for the hilt base I dont' know: metal alloy ( maybe silver but I don't think) Kind regards |
29th October 2016, 08:55 PM | #5 |
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Somebody for the blade quality or the engravings ?!
Thank's |
30th October 2016, 12:45 PM | #6 |
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The date on the blade is 1292, which is 1875-6.
AFAIK, calling them "pirates" might be incorrect. They were landlubbers, operating as small bands within and between villages. Kind of Turkish Robin Hood- like foot irregulars, bashibazouks ( "crazy heads") , poor as church mice and having rather uncertain relations with any organized government. They particularly distinguished themselves as guerilla forces during the Greek invasion of Anatolia in 1919. I have never seen a Zeybek yataghan with a wootz blade or even with a Damascus one. All, in my experience, were monosteel, very thick, narrow, long, curved downwards ( no recurving), with integral bolsters, cheap horn or wood handles crudely imitating classical Ottoman "ears", and with simple decorations and cheap primitive tunkou. The work of a village blacksmith, not of a sophisticated professional armorer. Getting one with the original scabbard is great. |
30th October 2016, 08:39 PM | #7 |
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Thank you Ariel for all the precious informations
and for the date transcription !! Best wishes |
30th October 2016, 10:03 PM | #8 |
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Hi francantolin,
The "tunkou" is probably made of lead. The zigzag motive was allegedly common around the beginning of 20th century (and it continues till now). I think both were common at. beg. 20th. Are you sure the handle is made of wood _ Isnīt it horn ? Re. blade - I have also seen several nice blades made of mechanical damascuss (Turkish Ribbon) utilized with this "Zeybek Yathagans" (either nice old blade and crude rest of the wsord /I have one like this/ - or also something like "classy" Zeybeks, usually very long, even with silver fittings on the scabbard). Based on what Ariel writes - the blade is probably older than the rest of the sword, but, it does not look like damascus, really. To find even "crude" T-handled yathagan with not damaged original scabbard is not easy. Martin |
3rd November 2016, 11:22 AM | #9 |
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Hi Francesco, Nice find, a weapon made to be used. Ariel has said it all but I would just add that the Yatagan was the primary weapon of the Zeibeks although they also carried firearms. I that they originated from the Thracians. There is loads of informat on them online. Thanks for sharing.
Regards Miguel |
4th November 2016, 12:36 PM | #10 |
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Hello and thank you everybody !!
I'll gently restore the wooden part of the scabbard ( small part missing ) I hesitate to leave it like that, paint it in green with old pigments or cover it with leather. ( what do u think ? ) I'll post pictures when it will be done Best wishes |
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