Terrs. The Omani Battle Shield. A Buckler.

Gavin Nugent · 15th January 2016, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

So the attacking blade is supposed to hit the protrusion of the shield, slide down and get trapped under the brass fitting?

This is interesting: is it really functional? Shouldn't the space between the fitting and the shield be bigger? It might be awfully difficult to squeeze the blade in such narrow crack.

In some examples here the crack does not seem to exist at all, and the hide "rings" would seem to prevent sliding of the blade and some would seem to obliterate the crack altogether.

Or am I not getting something important?

Ariel,

The outer brass decoration is only a decorative anchor point for the inner bronze loop and buckle that hold the handle in place...nothing more, nothing less, except perhaps the notion of what the bronze decoration was intended to represent visually...one only has to handle the buckler to see and understand this...and those bucklers with cuts from swords are damaged at the rim and elsewhere on its surfaces...

Now best intentions for bragging rights and perhaps stories of local legend may be some peoples goals when defending with the buckler...simply to say hey look what I did in a freakish moment...but the design elements do not support this as a catch hook nor does it function as one

Gavin

Jim McDougall · 15th January 2016, 05:10 AM

Actually one of the fascinating areas of the study of weapons is often the lore associated with them. While the presentation of these shields is descriptive as well as depictive with examples shown, I think the note on the 'function' of these features is more of a representation of such local lore rather than in actual use.

This sort of descriptive note is often included with many features of varied weapons, and while not necessarily subscribed to but simply inclusively .

I have always thought these were unusual in the pronounced dome shape, and when seeing them in person was admittedly stunned at what I consider pretty small size. I must admit if I were defending myself from a sword attack I would surely want a very big shield!

ariel · 15th January 2016, 09:43 AM

Yup.
Just like Crocodile Dundee bringing in a very big " knOife":-)

Kubur · 15th January 2016, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Actually one of the fascinating areas of the study of weapons is often the lore associated with them. While the presentation of these shields is descriptive as well as depictive with examples shown, I think the note on the 'function' of these features is more of a representation of such local lore rather than in actual use.

This sort of descriptive note is often included with many features of varied weapons, and while not necessarily subscribed to but simply inclusively .

I have always thought these were unusual in the pronounced dome shape, and when seeing them in person was admittedly stunned at what I consider pretty small size. I must admit if I were defending myself from a sword attack I would surely want a very big shield!

I think it's a "targe shield" or a "small rondache". The diameter of the targe is maximum 40cm, I think the Omani shield are around 20-30cm? the same function as a "main-gauche" dagger...
Best,

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 16th January 2016, 06:47 AM

Salaams all above...Thank you for your input. This is an Omani Terrs.

On size; I think the key reference is #1 showing a variety of slightly different sizes. As noted by Gavin Nugent above; the device in brass is primarily for attaching the holding strap behind the Terrs. There are two ways of trapping the opponents blade..the first being to twist a blade which has been caught stuck in the hide shields face. The second method, it is said, is by trapping the opponents sword between the brass rectangle and the shield. I agree that is tenuous but with the thin swords quite possible; though I place the wording...: "it is said that"...

I think there is a question over the size of the shield and it may be considered what weapon this shield was first used with..? and that is perhaps best looked at when the Terrs was passed on from its defensive role with The Sayf Yamaani onto the Omani thin flexible Sayf. Two other functions were also transferred ...The sharpenend two edges of the weapon in honour of the forefathers and the flat spatulate tip.

Two answers to the shields size concerns the small stature of the average Omani and the speed factor... The concept was slash and chop with the heavier original Sayf Yamaani behind or ballanced with very fast manouvering behind the Terrs...also seen to devastating effect in the European Targe.

I think readers need to remember that the shield and sword were accompanied by the spear...which because of Gunpowder became extinct from probably the 18th C. The Terrs shield also goes in to battle with the Khanjar dagger and in the Funoon traditions there is such a dance performance usually seen in Southern Oman. The Bara'a.

Regarding decoration with silver which is an excellent observation...The question as to why and when may be interesting.. The Richardson and Dorr illustrates such a Terrs made in the samer shape but in wood... It contains examples of Terrs in reed as well...same shape. I suggest that once the Sayf Yamaani became Iconized in about 1830 a number of other design factors were introduced including the Busaidi Hilt on both it and the Royal Khanjar...plus the Royal Turban and the Royal Camerbund.

It seems probable that the Sayf Yamaani with the Iconized silver hilt will have brought designer attention to its Terrs...at the same time.

It is generally recognised that the wife of Said The Great ...or one of them..."Sheherazad"... the Persian princess... who designed the Al Busaidi Hilt to the Khanjar also may well have been the instigator for the other items.

see ... http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...=omani+khanjar

and ...http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ht=Omani+terrs

and ... http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ht=Omani+terrs

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 29th January 2016, 05:26 PM

Salaams All...I post an interesting collage of weapons some of which are floated into the region from the Zanzibar Hub and some like the shield near the top already adopted by Oman.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 29th January 2016, 06:24 PM

Salaams all...I wondered if the brass cross format of the two rivet heads in the front of the Terrs shield holding the back hand strap in place were related to the Ethiopian Cross. May that indicate that the Terrs was manufactured in Ethiopia rather than being made in Zanzibar...or that Ethiopian artesans made them that way in Zanzibar or both ?

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Kubur · 29th January 2016, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams all...I wondered if the brass cross format of the two rivet heads in the front of the Terrs shield holding the back hand strap in place were related to the Ethiopian Cross. May that indicate that the Terrs was manufactured in Ethiopia rather than being made in Zanzibar...or that Ethiopian artesans made it that way in Zanzibar or both ?

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Salaam Ibrahiim,

For me it's a star not a cross.
The star is a common symbol in Islamic lands.
One question, where did you find your previous document, the drawing?
Thanks

Kubur

kahnjar1 · 30th January 2016, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams all...I wondered if the brass cross format of the two rivet heads in the front of the Terrs shield holding the back hand strap in place were related to the Ethiopian Cross. May that indicate that the Terrs was manufactured in Ethiopia rather than being made in Zanzibar...or that Ethiopian artesans made them that way in Zanzibar or both ?

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Since the cross is generally accepted as a Christian symbol, is it likely to be accepted as a decoration in the Muslim world?

15th January 2016, 09:43 AM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Yup. Just like Crocodile Dundee bringing in a very big " knOife":-) Last edited by ariel; 15th January 2016 at 11:39 AM.

16th January 2016, 06:47 AM	#5
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Omani Terrs. Salaams all above...Thank you for your input. This is an Omani Terrs. On size; I think the key reference is #1 showing a variety of slightly different sizes. As noted by Gavin Nugent above; the device in brass is primarily for attaching the holding strap behind the Terrs. There are two ways of trapping the opponents blade..the first being to twist a blade which has been caught stuck in the hide shields face. The second method, it is said, is by trapping the opponents sword between the brass rectangle and the shield. I agree that is tenuous but with the thin swords quite possible; though I place the wording...: "it is said that"... I think there is a question over the size of the shield and it may be considered what weapon this shield was first used with..? and that is perhaps best looked at when the Terrs was passed on from its defensive role with The Sayf Yamaani onto the Omani thin flexible Sayf. Two other functions were also transferred ...The sharpenend two edges of the weapon in honour of the forefathers and the flat spatulate tip. Two answers to the shields size concerns the small stature of the average Omani and the speed factor... The concept was slash and chop with the heavier original Sayf Yamaani behind or ballanced with very fast manouvering behind the Terrs...also seen to devastating effect in the European Targe. I think readers need to remember that the shield and sword were accompanied by the spear...which because of Gunpowder became extinct from probably the 18th C. The Terrs shield also goes in to battle with the Khanjar dagger and in the Funoon traditions there is such a dance performance usually seen in Southern Oman. The Bara'a. Regarding decoration with silver which is an excellent observation...The question as to why and when may be interesting.. The Richardson and Dorr illustrates such a Terrs made in the samer shape but in wood... It contains examples of Terrs in reed as well...same shape. I suggest that once the Sayf Yamaani became Iconized in about 1830 a number of other design factors were introduced including the Busaidi Hilt on both it and the Royal Khanjar...plus the Royal Turban and the Royal Camerbund. It seems probable that the Sayf Yamaani with the Iconized silver hilt will have brought designer attention to its Terrs...at the same time. It is generally recognised that the wife of Said The Great ...or one of them..."Sheherazad"... the Persian princess... who designed the Al Busaidi Hilt to the Khanjar also may well have been the instigator for the other items. see ... http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...=omani+khanjar and ...http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ht=Omani+terrs and ... http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ht=Omani+terrs Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 16th January 2016 at 07:30 AM.

29th January 2016, 05:26 PM	#6
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Salaams All...I post an interesting collage of weapons some of which are floated into the region from the Zanzibar Hub and some like the shield near the top already adopted by Oman. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 29th January 2016 at 06:34 PM.

29th January 2016, 06:24 PM	#7
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Salaams all...I wondered if the brass cross format of the two rivet heads in the front of the Terrs shield holding the back hand strap in place were related to the Ethiopian Cross. May that indicate that the Terrs was manufactured in Ethiopia rather than being made in Zanzibar...or that Ethiopian artesans made them that way in Zanzibar or both ? Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 29th January 2016 at 06:34 PM.

15th January 2016, 05:10 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,284	Actually one of the fascinating areas of the study of weapons is often the lore associated with them. While the presentation of these shields is descriptive as well as depictive with examples shown, I think the note on the 'function' of these features is more of a representation of such local lore rather than in actual use. This sort of descriptive note is often included with many features of varied weapons, and while not necessarily subscribed to but simply inclusively . I have always thought these were unusual in the pronounced dome shape, and when seeing them in person was admittedly stunned at what I consider pretty small size. I must admit if I were defending myself from a sword attack I would surely want a very big shield!