Omani Sayf/Saif

Jim McDougall · 5th November 2022, 04:42 PM

I looked in Elgood (1994 op. cit.) and found this, which seems to support the use of broadswords by the Omani's, but the hilt style is not noted:

"...James Fraser visited the Omani garrison at Ormuz in 1821 and described how these soldiers of the Imam entirely resembled the Arabs at Muscat. Of their arms he wrote:
The broadsword and target, their chief arms, were interesting, as bearing a strong resemblance to those borne by the Scots Highlanders; but their sword is edged on both sides. A few of these weapons are made at Yemen,but the greater part are procured from Egypt, whither they are brought from different parts of the Meditteranean. Many can be seen with the Solingen mark, and not a few with that of Andrea Ferrara, one of which I endeavored to purchase but could not prevail on the owner to part with it. These swords are sharp and thin, and previous to making use of them in an attack, they make them quiver and ring in the hand with a jerk, while held in an upright position, and then charge with loud shots".

I am curious about this event, and wonder if this was perhaps a diplomatic 'performance' for Fraser's visit, and the 'attack' was simply same.

Jim McDougall · 5th November 2022, 05:48 PM

Regarding the Omani sword (kattara, straight sword) :
"...Wellstead describes the sword in 1835:
Upon my return...I found the whole of the tribe..at Benu-Abu-Ali, consisting of about 250 men, assembled for exhibiting their war dance. They had formed a circle, which five or six of their number had now entered.After walking leisurely around for some time, each challenged one of the spectators by striking him gently with the flat of his sword. His adversary immediately leaped forth, and a feigned combat ensued. They have but two cuts, , one directly downward at the head, and the other horizontally across the legs. They parry neither with the sword nor the shield, but avoid blows by leaping or bounding backwards.The blade of their sword is about three feet in length, straight, thin, double edged and as sharp as a razor. As they carry it upright before them, by a peculiar motion of their wrist the cause it to vibrate in a very singular manner, which has a singularly striking effect when they are assembled in any considerable number.
The shield is attached to the sword by a leathern thong, it measures about 14 inches in diameter and is generally used to parry the thrust of a spear or jembeer(sic).
It was part of the entertainment to fire off their matchlocks under the legs of some of the spectators, who appeared too intent on watching the game to observe their approach, and any sign of alarm which escaped the individual added greatly to their mirth".
"Travels in Arabia" (vol. 1&2) J.R.Wellstead, 1838, p.69,70.

I would note here that apparently in 1820-21, Said bin Sultan and the East India Company launched campaigns in the hinterlands of Muscat (SE Oman) against this tribe, and it is noted that the Arabs fought with broadsword and shield. It is stated this was the only land action under this Sultan of Muscat during his long reign.
While unclear what type of broadsword, it is tempting to consider that Fraser in Hormuz noted the similarity of the garrison there to those in Muscat and presumably their broadswords.

It is noted by Wellstead that the shield was attached to the sword by means of a 'leathern thong'..............which may answer the mystery of the aperture which seems to be consistently in the pommel of these conical hilted swords.

In both the Fraser (previous post) and Wellstead accounts, the distinct wrist movement causing the blades of the swords to quiver is intriguing. It does not seem that most broadsword blades from Scottish basket hilts or other European broadswords would be considered 'thin' nor can they be made to quiver as far as I have known. Perhaps it is that I am not aware of whatever wrist action is used to do so?

5th November 2022, 05:48 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,190	Further from Elgood(1994,.p.16) Regarding the Omani sword (kattara, straight sword) : "...Wellstead describes the sword in 1835: Upon my return...I found the whole of the tribe..at Benu-Abu-Ali, consisting of about 250 men, assembled for exhibiting their war dance. They had formed a circle, which five or six of their number had now entered.After walking leisurely around for some time, each challenged one of the spectators by striking him gently with the flat of his sword. His adversary immediately leaped forth, and a feigned combat ensued. They have but two cuts, , one directly downward at the head, and the other horizontally across the legs. They parry neither with the sword nor the shield, but avoid blows by leaping or bounding backwards.The blade of their sword is about three feet in length, straight, thin, double edged and as sharp as a razor. As they carry it upright before them, by a peculiar motion of their wrist the cause it to vibrate in a very singular manner, which has a singularly striking effect when they are assembled in any considerable number. The shield is attached to the sword by a leathern thong, it measures about 14 inches in diameter and is generally used to parry the thrust of a spear or jembeer(sic). It was part of the entertainment to fire off their matchlocks under the legs of some of the spectators, who appeared too intent on watching the game to observe their approach, and any sign of alarm which escaped the individual added greatly to their mirth". "Travels in Arabia" (vol. 1&2) J.R.Wellstead, 1838, p.69,70. I would note here that apparently in 1820-21, Said bin Sultan and the East India Company launched campaigns in the hinterlands of Muscat (SE Oman) against this tribe, and it is noted that the Arabs fought with broadsword and shield. It is stated this was the only land action under this Sultan of Muscat during his long reign. While unclear what type of broadsword, it is tempting to consider that Fraser in Hormuz noted the similarity of the garrison there to those in Muscat and presumably their broadswords. It is noted by Wellstead that the shield was attached to the sword by means of a 'leathern thong'..............which may answer the mystery of the aperture which seems to be consistently in the pommel of these conical hilted swords. In both the Fraser (previous post) and Wellstead accounts, the distinct wrist movement causing the blades of the swords to quiver is intriguing. It does not seem that most broadsword blades from Scottish basket hilts or other European broadswords would be considered 'thin' nor can they be made to quiver as far as I have known. Perhaps it is that I am not aware of whatever wrist action is used to do so?

5th November 2022, 04:42 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,190	I looked in Elgood (1994 op. cit.) and found this, which seems to support the use of broadswords by the Omani's, but the hilt style is not noted: "...James Fraser visited the Omani garrison at Ormuz in 1821 and described how these soldiers of the Imam entirely resembled the Arabs at Muscat. Of their arms he wrote: The broadsword and target, their chief arms, were interesting, as bearing a strong resemblance to those borne by the Scots Highlanders; but their sword is edged on both sides. A few of these weapons are made at Yemen,but the greater part are procured from Egypt, whither they are brought from different parts of the Meditteranean. Many can be seen with the Solingen mark, and not a few with that of Andrea Ferrara, one of which I endeavored to purchase but could not prevail on the owner to part with it. These swords are sharp and thin, and previous to making use of them in an attack, they make them quiver and ring in the hand with a jerk, while held in an upright position, and then charge with loud shots". I am curious about this event, and wonder if this was perhaps a diplomatic 'performance' for Fraser's visit, and the 'attack' was simply same.