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#1 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Greenville, NC
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I have seen European hunting swords with "damascus" blades before, but have never seen one with a wootz blade, and an Islamic cartouche in addition. The blade here is of quality wootz, and I no reason to believe it is a cut-down sword...perhaps someone can convince me otherwise.
I know nothing of European swords, much less European hunting swords, so I am trying to learn a few things about this one. Its hilt is stag horn with steel mounts, including the common shell style guard. Is it a custom made sword in a certain European form(ie. German)? Is it more likely to be a Persian or Indian sword, simply mimicking European styles? Looking forward to hearing opinions! Can anyone translate the cartouche? |
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#2 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
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What great wootz!
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#3 |
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I agree with Battara, beautiful Wooten. The hilt and quillons seem plain for such a blade. I think that I can make out a date in tha bottom cartouche but the gold on the second number in the bottom left hand corner is worn and I am guessing that it is a 2. I make the date AH 1221 which equates to AD 1806 which seems about right for the sword. Others with better eyesight than me may disagree sorry I can't offer any more and thanks for posting.
Regards Miguel |
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#4 |
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Thanks guys!
Miguel, thanks especially for your translation. |
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#5 |
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To me, the second digit on the date looks like "o" That gives a date of 1021 islamic, ie 1612, which looks much more likely for such a quality blade. Also, the second digit cannot be a "worn two" because even if it was, the remaining lines
do not correspond with the shape of the other "2" on the right. |
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#6 | |
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the rest says, Servant of Shah e Welaayet (Imam Ali the first Imam and the fourth Caliph) Abbas. This is the correct reading of this type of seal, I believe I have explained this elsewhere. The bottom seal reads, Work of Kalb Ali ibn e Assad. Very nice blade, the patterns is beautiful. |
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#7 |
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G'day Charles. Great sword.
Is it just me or does this blade have a kirk narduban pattern with the steps on a slant! I haven't come across this before. Cheers, Bryce |
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#8 |
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#9 |
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There were a number of sharp pointy things outside Wien in 1683 that the Turks decided they didn't need anymore after they were persuaded by a few Polish Winged Hussars that their welcome had been worn out and that they should leave. I wouldn't be surprised some were repurposed.
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#10 |
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Congratulations to a very beautiful hunting sword.
As far as I can judge from the pictures, the pattern becomes finer close to the edge as a result of elaborate hammering to increase the quality of the blade. Even close to the point the pattern becomes narrow. So I dont think this blade is a shortened whatever. It is imho a British or French hunting sword and probably a contract work for a British or French citizen, which lived in India or Iran. Or maybe a present to an European officer or so. I own an Indian Tulwar with a pipeback-blade oriented on a British pattern from early 19th ct.. So it was not too unusual for Indian and even Iranian smiths to make European edged weapons from wootz. If I remember correctly, Kalib Ali is the son of the very famous Assadallah and in this case your sword is a magnificent one. But he lived to early to make a hunting sword in shape of a German deer catcher and all of his longswords I know are curved. Roland |
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#11 | |
Keris forum moderator
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#12 | |
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nowadays Arabic dates are written from left to right. See this example, 1980 = 1359. Roland |
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#13 | |
Keris forum moderator
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#14 | |
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In any case, there were definitely early left right uses that he recorded in his book. I'll give a good look when I get home from work. It's around here somewhere... |
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#15 |
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I have several dated islamic blades from 17-18th centuries, and all dates are read left-to-right.
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#16 |
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From the one who translated the text on my weapons, I was told that the text should be read from right to left, but the numbers from left to right.
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#17 | |
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