Arabian shamshir with Hungarian blade

Jim McDougall · 11th July 2013, 06:17 PM

This is a fascinating example with some truly exciting potential!
Clearly the Syrian type hilt suggests Arabian attribution, and the Hungarian blade is well noted by Robert Elgood in his outstanding book on Arabian arms.
The collection tag is most interesting and I am curious about the rather broad assertion of being captured in 'Balkan wars' of 1800-50. I wonder of course which wars these might refer to, although obviously these were turbulent times with the Ottomans, and if perhaps an Arabian officer might have had this on campaign.
I agree with the 18th century attribution for this hussar type blade, and recall these same mounts and similarly inscribed Hungarian blades often misidentified as 18th century Hungarian sabres from years ago.

I also find the coral beads entwined in the chain guard interesting, and perhaps these offer possibility for the Balkan note as arent coral and turquoise often studded into certain yataghan hilts from those regions?

11th July 2013, 06:17 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,278	This is a fascinating example with some truly exciting potential! Clearly the Syrian type hilt suggests Arabian attribution, and the Hungarian blade is well noted by Robert Elgood in his outstanding book on Arabian arms. The collection tag is most interesting and I am curious about the rather broad assertion of being captured in 'Balkan wars' of 1800-50. I wonder of course which wars these might refer to, although obviously these were turbulent times with the Ottomans, and if perhaps an Arabian officer might have had this on campaign. I agree with the 18th century attribution for this hussar type blade, and recall these same mounts and similarly inscribed Hungarian blades often misidentified as 18th century Hungarian sabres from years ago. I also find the coral beads entwined in the chain guard interesting, and perhaps these offer possibility for the Balkan note as arent coral and turquoise often studded into certain yataghan hilts from those regions?