Early Yataghan for Comments and Discussion

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by TVV

I know I am being baited, but for the purpose of enhancing the knowledge of the community on this forum, this is a point that will need to be addressed. Before I respond, I just have a few clarifying questions:
1. Of all the yataghans I have presented so far in this thread, is mine the only one that you deem to be of recent manufacture, or does this extend to all the examples, including those sold by Oriental Arms, Sotheby's, etc?
2. A search containing the words "Turkish ribbon" produces 71 threads since the forum moved to VBulletin. The majority contain yataghans with Turkish ribbon blades, with hilts ranging from Algeria through to Balkans to Asia Minor. Are they all modern, 20th century and later creations?
3. Apart from yataghans, there are palas, bichaqs and even kindjals and quaddaras with twistcore rods in the blades. Are those also modern, or is the argument that smiths in the Ottoman Empire and surrounding areas back in the day applied twistcore to pretty much all blades they made except for yataghans?

I do not know about the other examples you mentioned, but I suspect most blades with "Turkish ribbon" to be late 19th century or early 20th century.

It wouldn't be an exception for the most prestigious auction houses to be dead wrong on dating their lots. Museums also...

From practical, mechanical point of view, "Turkish ribbon" pattern weld serves solely decorative reasons and does not contribute positively to the mechanical properties of the blade... on contrary.

But this is only my opinion, based on my own observations and personal research.

Ultimately, people believe what they want to believe.