Omani Sayf/Saif

[TVV]

Originally Posted by Orang Lama

I don't have my copy of "Swordsmen of the British Empire" to hand right now, but IIRC it contains an eyewitness account of a nineteenth century British navy attack on a Zanzibari/Omani slaving vessel where it is explicitly stated that this type of sword was used by the vessel's crew.

I also recall reading a travelogue through Egypt, Sudan, and the Gulf states from the 1950s/1960s where the writer describes a sheikh vibrating his sword blade. The writer made a point of noting that he had examined the sword beforehand and ascertained that the blade was extremely stiff and difficult to bend. He was at a loss to explain how exactly the trick was done. Both the writer's description and the accompanying photograph made it clear that the sword in question was an Omani saif.

Thank you for this, as it is a contemporary source from the time when these swords were used in battle. The fact that a century later they have become a purely ceremonial object does not change the historical evidence of their use.