Arabic insription on yataghan - translation requested

Valjhun · 20th July 2006, 05:54 PM

Thank you verry much S.Al-Anizi.

Afghan? I find it very strange indeed. It is of a typical greek lower quality manufacture, at least the fittings, the blade nicest quality and could be earlier. I'm attaching the other pictures. There is something like a makers mark also.

Is there someone who can read it?

erlikhan · 20th July 2006, 10:05 PM

hi. I am almost sure the scabbard mountings are new,and have been remounted to this scabbard although they dont properly fit, as somebody has preferred to do so instead of leaving it empty. You can see it from the metal sew and the place of the original mountings. Plus -I think- the grip band is new too,which reminds me very much the style of somebody I know from Istanbul...

regards

S.Al-Anizi · 21st July 2006, 04:11 AM

Valjhun, the writing could also be Osmanli, or even Persian? (more likely than afghan

)

Valjhun · 21st July 2006, 10:01 AM

Erli, thoose fittings doesn't seem to be new, just poorly made greek work in the passage of time between 1880-1920 and they fit properly to the piece, only the upper "silver" part is loose, but it goews down to the leather border.

Zifir · 21st July 2006, 02:21 PM

The writing is not Ottoman Turkish. I don't think it's persian either. Perhaps someone squenced arabic letters one after another, or it's urdu or another langauge.

eftihis · 21st July 2006, 04:42 PM

Hi Matej,
I find it interesting that you believe the fittings are "lower quality greek work between 1880-1920" I would like to know more if you can elaborate with more details, what are the characteristics that make you believe that?

Valjhun · 21st July 2006, 05:42 PM

Well Eftihis,

I'm a little bit suprised by such question from you. In lack of a quality book on yatagans I would say that mine statement is a simple deduction upon observing various yatagans from auction houses, ebay listnings and museums. Thoose pices I'm referring to, usually have blades of lower quality with typical engravings consisting of flowers, hearts with arrows, inscriptions in greek and dates from the late 19th century to 1930. Sometimes thoose pieces are reffered as "sailor's yataghan". The monster head on the is a good sign too. It was never been done in former yugoslavia territories such way. Not a epirus masterpiece certainly, but still greek workmaship, I guess. One thing is for sure, it is not a formey yugoslavia piece. You are a far greater expert when it comes to Greece, can you comment that?

However, I'm not totaly excluding the statement from Erlikhan. Erli, can you post some pictures of your friends work?

20th July 2006, 05:54 PM	#1
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	Thank you verry much S.Al-Anizi. Afghan? I find it very strange indeed. It is of a typical greek lower quality manufacture, at least the fittings, the blade nicest quality and could be earlier. I'm attaching the other pictures. There is something like a makers mark also. Is there someone who can read it? Attached Images

21st July 2006, 05:42 PM	#7
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	Well Eftihis, I'm a little bit suprised by such question from you. In lack of a quality book on yatagans I would say that mine statement is a simple deduction upon observing various yatagans from auction houses, ebay listnings and museums. Thoose pices I'm referring to, usually have blades of lower quality with typical engravings consisting of flowers, hearts with arrows, inscriptions in greek and dates from the late 19th century to 1930. Sometimes thoose pieces are reffered as "sailor's yataghan". The monster head on the is a good sign too. It was never been done in former yugoslavia territories such way. Not a epirus masterpiece certainly, but still greek workmaship, I guess. One thing is for sure, it is not a formey yugoslavia piece. You are a far greater expert when it comes to Greece, can you comment that? However, I'm not totaly excluding the statement from Erlikhan. Erli, can you post some pictures of your friends work? Last edited by Valjhun; 21st July 2006 at 06:29 PM.

20th July 2006, 10:05 PM	#2
erlikhan Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Istanbul Posts: 452	hi. I am almost sure the scabbard mountings are new,and have been remounted to this scabbard although they dont properly fit, as somebody has preferred to do so instead of leaving it empty. You can see it from the metal sew and the place of the original mountings. Plus -I think- the grip band is new too,which reminds me very much the style of somebody I know from Istanbul... regards

21st July 2006, 04:11 AM	#3
S.Al-Anizi Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Arabia Posts: 278	Valjhun, the writing could also be Osmanli, or even Persian? (more likely than afghan )

21st July 2006, 10:01 AM	#4
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	Erli, thoose fittings doesn't seem to be new, just poorly made greek work in the passage of time between 1880-1920 and they fit properly to the piece, only the upper "silver" part is loose, but it goews down to the leather border.

21st July 2006, 02:21 PM	#5
Zifir Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Istanbul Posts: 228	The writing is not Ottoman Turkish. I don't think it's persian either. Perhaps someone squenced arabic letters one after another, or it's urdu or another langauge.

21st July 2006, 04:42 PM	#6
eftihis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chania Crete Greece Posts: 511	Hi Matej, I find it interesting that you believe the fittings are "lower quality greek work between 1880-1920" I would like to know more if you can elaborate with more details, what are the characteristics that make you believe that?