Odd Sword

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

The objective is to crack this code A 5 1 D D A Where the A is in Majescule form at both ends of the code.

There may well be a variation in how the reference is applied since 51 could refer to the book of revelations or Psalm 51 . I am looking at the A called The Majescule A which looks to belong to several alphabets and has a peculiar tail at the top left of the letter and a central support leg to the cross piece …
Could this indicate a place... Augsberg possibly.

I recall Michael(RIP) in one of his amazing epic threads discussing the Augsberg Halbard pole arms with the Augsberg letter in Latten style on the blade in the form term being expressed here...of a Majescule A. Could this be indicating that since A is at both ends of the script that it forms a sort of bracket around the biblical term being expressed. Thus underwriting the blessing as having been carried out at Augsberg? Thus so far I have a hypothesis as follows...Benedictus style blessings often focussed on a psalm thus I lean toward that possibility~

At Augsberg Psalm 51(or the book of Revelations) Dominus Deus At Augsberg.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

The Ethnographics of this case are huge! Not only is the hilt rare in the case of the other sword See Post 44.....but on The Odd Sword the incredible decorative form on the added pommel illustrating the Solomon style star geometry and Talismanic gridded majic square with Arabic numerals seemingly all 5s …
I have previously described figure 5 geometry as representing Hand of Fatima daughter of The Prophet (pboh) . In addition there is a tang extension although it looks like this part snapped off another sword type...The only weapon it could have come off is The Omani Dancer. The decorative devices are so rare that no one has seen such a decoration before.

I also show how the fixing is made in a previous post to thread See post 23.


Please note that blade and hilt and pommel are made as one with the blade on dancing swords so that in the case of a hilt and or hilt extension
there would be no rivets or brazing together of hilt parts unless the hilt was a replacement of some sort... In this case two parts ...Half a hilt with two rivets shown and a complete Pommel with Tang extension in this case riveted . See pictures below.

[Jim McDougall]

Despite probable modern mounting and assembly, many composite swords offer great opportunities in evaluating the components used, often having their own genuine antiquity. The remounting of old and heirloom blades is actually very common in ethnographic spheres.

In the case of the 'odd' sword posted in the OP of over three years ago, the blade, as well discussed, appears European and with a curious inscription of letters which may be a combination of symbols and letters or perhaps with acrostic value in some degree.

It seems well determined that the blade has had an extension added to move back the cubed pommel to allow for the long grip of the Omani sayf. While these long open hilts became popularized during the al Busayyidi dynasty of Oman in the early 19th c. , it appears that there were many of this form made for ceremonial events. Contemporary to these it would seem that this style hilt appealed to status oriented figures such as merchants and distinguished officials, and they may have had European trade blades (readily available in their entrepots) mounted accordingly.

Although it is believed that this blade on the sword discussed as well as on the second (in sayf Yemani mounts) with 'SVARES' inscription, are from a European source in recent time, this only negates the importance of the possible Portuguese attribution. As far as thier own antiquity as blades of probably 17th c. , they are very worthy of discussion on their own merit. so keying them to Portuguese presence in Oman in these early times need not be a consideration for provenance of the blades.

Returning to the sword of the OP, the character of the pommel is most interesting, and appears to have motif completely uncharacteristic of pommels, despite occasional occurrences on blades.

The 'magic square' (often termed 'buduh' but in Arabic 'wafq') is a device which far predates Islam, but was filtered from China via India into early use in Arabia. As far as recorded use I could only locate the 10th c use as described by Jabir ibn Hayyan (Geber) but I am admittedly not well versed in such matters. The point is that this, as described by Ibrahiim, is most certainly a talismanic device well known on Islamic swords.

The six point star, is not seen in this parlance as Jewish (of course) nor as some rendition of the well known proof mark surround seen on Wilkinson swords c. 1860s.....but as Norman noted earlier, a symbol of strength with two joined triangles. This was used in early times in various cultures but was known in Islam as well.

The cubed pommel is characteristic of the early Omani sayf with long open hilt of the earliest period of the reign of Saiid bin Sultan (1804-1856) and on the 'dance' versions which typically had the aperture in the pommel. This was presumably for a wrist lanyard or festoon, and not typically seen on the more embellished examples for dignitary or status oriented wear.

It would be a most 'odd' incongruence, actually paradox, to have a pommel with Islamic talismanic virtues joined to a European blade carrying what may be Christian invocations. Obviously none of that has yet been determined, but the possibilities are most interesting.

In the blade inscription one of the key elements is the majescule A which is apparently at both ends of the number/letters. Here I would note that these elaborate 'A' characters which look like a M because of the center drop down forming a lozenge in the center, were used in numerous instances besides Augsburg and by various makers in Spain and others.
This suggests that the 'A' is likely a symbolic device in my opinion, but at this point its meaning unknown.

Attached is an example in 'latten' (inlaid gold metal).

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Thanks Jim that is a great picture of the Majescule A which probably changes down the ages as some have the cross bar projecting another bar to the base...as seen on the project odd sword.

I agree that it would be quite peculiar to see a Christian weapon with a staunchly Muslim pommel attached displaying the Omani Dancing configuration of Pommel and the Solomon style geometry plus the Islamic gridded Talismanic squares with little circles on... actually figure 5s. To my knowledge this would be completely unheard of. The fact that the blade probably shows a biblical quotation in a kind of capital lettered shorthand plus there in a cross at one end of the script topping the cartouche...further throws doubt on the situation.

Turning to the other sword with the hilt from the famous Iconic Sayf Yamaani Omani battle sword that certainly dates to 1000 ad (The Arts Of The Muslim Knight, Bashir Mohamed.) but may go back to 751 as one of a series of sword designs of The Prophet... It was Iconized by possibly the most famous Sultan; Saaid bin Sultan who ruled 1804 to 1856...and who during his reign had the weapon Iconized with a silvered hilt . The hilt has a Minarette shaped geometric handle and a Mosque dome Pommel. This is the closest weapon I have seen which could be said to be the weapon of Ibaathi Islam.

Coupled to Christian blades this makes no sense but amazingly there is one similar in the museum at Muscat. Needless to say I know when and who sold them the item and I can advise caution in using it as a reference.

Nevertheless... at Forum I think the odd sword is handled well and viewing the interesting parts is fair... I was always of the opinion that the hilts could have made a reasonable subject for a students research as part of a thesis such is the rarity especially of the pommel decoration.

Observing the star shape for a moment it comes from the Solomon star shape geometry and is included in many artefact dishes and trays as well as Ewers and Islamic jewelery to name a few. A similar but unassociated shape appears on Wilkinsons swords at the throat...Below is one of the clearest examples I have and the ring is inscribed in Islamic verses.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

HAVING RE READ this entirely mind bending thread I am of the opinion that the closest to cracking the code on the blade is ~

A51DDA

At Augsberg Psalm 51(or the book of Revelations) Dominus Deus At Augsberg.

That being only half the story as there has been a lot of play in joining blades with hilts here and the two while important may now be seen in their true (or untrue light.)