Crazy Thing

Michael Blalock · 6th May 2006, 12:12 AM

What do you think of this bizzar amalgamation. An Omani kattara scabbard with a Yemeni Jambiya hilt stuck on an interesting blade. I don't have it yet but its coming and I would be interested in any speculation on the blade.

Michael Blalock · 6th May 2006, 12:28 AM

Well, I found a similar blade in this thread,

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=kattara

I guess it is a Kattara blade and scabbard.

ariel · 6th May 2006, 12:44 AM

You outbid me, you &^t%#$%@!!!!!!!!!

This is an Omani kattara, of a very early type, as per Elgood, 17-18th century.
The pommel was broken off and the owner or some other %&$%#$@%^&$ stuck the handle of an Omani jambiya onto it. With a screw, no less....
The blade needs to be cleaned to look for any markings, but I would not be surprised to find it is Persian.
I wanted it so bad! Evidently, you wanted it more...
Well, having vented some steam (and a lot of it, as you see), congratulations!
Just do not forget to post the post-cleaning pics

Michael Blalock · 6th May 2006, 12:53 AM

Ever since I found this forum I've developed an addiction. Then I found that damn sniper website and I keep winning. I 've been keeping it a secret from my wife but I don't know how much longer I can go before I need an intervention. I'll send photos.

Rick · 6th May 2006, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Blalock

Ever since I found this forum I've developed an addiction. Then I found that damn sniper website and I keep winning. I 've been keeping it a secret from my wife but I don't know how much longer I can go before I need an intervention. I'll send photos.

The intervention will be when you can't pay your bills !

Andrew · 6th May 2006, 02:32 AM

lol. Nice grab, Michael. I once outbid Ariel on a dha. I don't think things have been the same between us since then.

The trick (assuming you can continue to pay the bills) is to avoid displaying things immediately after you get them. That way, when they are brought out, you can honestly say "...that old thing? I picked that up a long time ago."

I was recently caught displaying a newly aquired spear in my office. Fortunately, it was around my birthday...

ariel · 6th May 2006, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Blalock

Ever since I found this forum I've developed an addiction. Then I found that damn sniper website and I keep winning. I 've been keeping it a secret from my wife but I don't know how much longer I can go before I need an intervention. I'll send photos.

I wish you were caught before sniping this one.
There is some steam left, obviously.

Rick · 6th May 2006, 03:01 PM

Keep telling yourself Ariel : It's only an auction ; It's only an auction .......

ariel · 6th May 2006, 03:59 PM

Yes, I've called my psychologist already and he told me the same thing.
But ... why life is so unfair and always to me!!????

I need a beer...

Michael Blalock · 6th May 2006, 04:27 PM

I feel your pain Ariel.

Try this one:

http://www.showcaseantiques.net/html...ils.asp?id=150

At the current exchange rate it's not a bad price if it is not a modern reporduction. They also have a couple of nice matchlock rifles for what looks like a real good price if I've got that exchange rate right.

Mark · 7th May 2006, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

lol. Nice grab, Michael. I once outbid Ariel on a dha. I don't think things have been the same between us since then.

The trick (assuming you can continue to pay the bills) is to avoid displaying things immediately after you get them. That way, when they are brought out, you can honestly say "...that old thing? I picked that up a long time ago."

I was recently caught displaying a newly aquired spear in my office. Fortunately, it was around my birthday...

I'd be happy to take the heat off you, Andrew. Just send that spear on up to me.

Andrew · 7th May 2006, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Bowditch

I'd be happy to take the heat off you, Andrew. Just send that spear on up to me.

You wouldn't like it, Mark. It's really old and not very shiny.

Michael Blalock · 18th May 2006, 01:09 AM

This sword came today. I don't see any markings. I think a see a pattern in the steel but I could be imagining things. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to clean it up?

ariel · 18th May 2006, 06:25 AM

WD-40 and Brillo pads?

M.carter · 18th May 2006, 10:39 AM

I saw this one, and was waiting until the auction would end so that I would post it here. This is a really strange kattara I must say, I would like to know more about these, because with that hilt, it looks really medieval arab to me.

I dont think the blade is persian, and without any fullers, I do not assume European either, most likely Omani.

Im getting increasingly fascinated with your collection Mike, it contains some very rare pieces, this one, including those Yemeni swords you have from before.

As Ariel said, some soak it in WD-40, then scrub with some brillo pads. Good luck!

Michael Blalock · 18th May 2006, 08:57 PM

Once I clean it I will post pictures. The scabbard was obviously never used for this sword. It's much to small. There are definately irregularities in the steel that indicate a primitive level of forging. The jambiya hilt that was attached with a screw also had silver buttons glued to the top of the screw. Does anyone need a jambiya handle that looks like it was used as a dog's chew toy?

M.carter · 18th May 2006, 09:04 PM

I was wondering, if there was any possibilty that Jambiya style hilts were actually used on these swords, they certainly do 'fit', and the original hilt on that one looks like iron to me. I wouldnt want to be holding an iron hilt, in a long hot day.

ariel · 18th May 2006, 10:12 PM

I was wondering what you are going to do with the handle, too...
The jambiya one is out of the question, I would take it off. Check Elgood's book on proper handle construction.
Question to everybody: we talked about the limits of restauration; would you go as far as, say, fashioning a new iron segment with a pommel, attaching it to the broken end and covering the whole handle with silver (that was how they looked originally) or, for the economy sake, wrapping it with a leather thong (simpler and later version of the handle)?

Michael Blalock · 21st May 2006, 05:27 PM

I think I may have over-cleaned the blade. The posted pictures are side-by-side with one of my Yemeni swords which has a very similar taper and similar forging flaws and cracks. I would say they were both made in southern Arabia.

6th May 2006, 12:12 AM	#1
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Crazy Thing What do you think of this bizzar amalgamation. An Omani kattara scabbard with a Yemeni Jambiya hilt stuck on an interesting blade. I don't have it yet but its coming and I would be interested in any speculation on the blade. Attached Images

6th May 2006, 03:01 PM	#8
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,291	Ebay Lust Keep telling yourself Ariel : It's only an auction ; It's only an auction .......

21st May 2006, 05:27 PM	#19
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	I think I may have over-cleaned the blade. The posted pictures are side-by-side with one of my Yemeni swords which has a very similar taper and similar forging flaws and cracks. I would say they were both made in southern Arabia. Attached Images Last edited by Michael Blalock; 21st May 2006 at 06:02 PM.

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6th May 2006, 12:28 AM	#2
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Well, I found a similar blade in this thread, http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=kattara I guess it is a Kattara blade and scabbard.

6th May 2006, 12:44 AM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	You outbid me, you &^t%#$%@!!!!!!!!! This is an Omani kattara, of a very early type, as per Elgood, 17-18th century. The pommel was broken off and the owner or some other %&$%#$@%^&$ stuck the handle of an Omani jambiya onto it. With a screw, no less.... The blade needs to be cleaned to look for any markings, but I would not be surprised to find it is Persian. I wanted it so bad! Evidently, you wanted it more... Well, having vented some steam (and a lot of it, as you see), congratulations! Just do not forget to post the post-cleaning pics

6th May 2006, 12:53 AM	#4
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Ever since I found this forum I've developed an addiction. Then I found that damn sniper website and I keep winning. I 've been keeping it a secret from my wife but I don't know how much longer I can go before I need an intervention. I'll send photos.

6th May 2006, 02:32 AM	#6
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	lol. Nice grab, Michael. I once outbid Ariel on a dha. I don't think things have been the same between us since then. The trick (assuming you can continue to pay the bills) is to avoid displaying things immediately after you get them. That way, when they are brought out, you can honestly say "...that old thing? I picked that up a long time ago." I was recently caught displaying a newly aquired spear in my office. Fortunately, it was around my birthday...

6th May 2006, 03:59 PM	#9
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Yes, I've called my psychologist already and he told me the same thing. But ... why life is so unfair and always to me!!???? I need a beer...

6th May 2006, 04:27 PM	#10
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	I feel your pain Ariel. Try this one: http://www.showcaseantiques.net/html...ils.asp?id=150 At the current exchange rate it's not a bad price if it is not a modern reporduction. They also have a couple of nice matchlock rifles for what looks like a real good price if I've got that exchange rate right.

18th May 2006, 01:09 AM	#13
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	This sword came today. I don't see any markings. I think a see a pattern in the steel but I could be imagining things. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to clean it up?

18th May 2006, 06:25 AM	#14
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	WD-40 and Brillo pads?

18th May 2006, 10:39 AM	#15
M.carter Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 176	I saw this one, and was waiting until the auction would end so that I would post it here. This is a really strange kattara I must say, I would like to know more about these, because with that hilt, it looks really medieval arab to me. I dont think the blade is persian, and without any fullers, I do not assume European either, most likely Omani. Im getting increasingly fascinated with your collection Mike, it contains some very rare pieces, this one, including those Yemeni swords you have from before. As Ariel said, some soak it in WD-40, then scrub with some brillo pads. Good luck!

18th May 2006, 08:57 PM	#16
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Once I clean it I will post pictures. The scabbard was obviously never used for this sword. It's much to small. There are definately irregularities in the steel that indicate a primitive level of forging. The jambiya hilt that was attached with a screw also had silver buttons glued to the top of the screw. Does anyone need a jambiya handle that looks like it was used as a dog's chew toy?

18th May 2006, 09:04 PM	#17
M.carter Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 176	I was wondering, if there was any possibilty that Jambiya style hilts were actually used on these swords, they certainly do 'fit', and the original hilt on that one looks like iron to me. I wouldnt want to be holding an iron hilt, in a long hot day.

18th May 2006, 10:12 PM	#18
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I was wondering what you are going to do with the handle, too... The jambiya one is out of the question, I would take it off. Check Elgood's book on proper handle construction. Question to everybody: we talked about the limits of restauration; would you go as far as, say, fashioning a new iron segment with a pommel, attaching it to the broken end and covering the whole handle with silver (that was how they looked originally) or, for the economy sake, wrapping it with a leather thong (simpler and later version of the handle)?