I have a Dream...

[A.alnakkas]

To own a shamshir :-) I've been doing my best to win one.. bidding on ebay whenever I can.. but with a budget like mine, I wont be that competitive. Anyways, this year is almost at an end and I look at my collection and I moved a long way compared to when I started.. But you never know what next year might be hiding.

Anyone else with such a dream aswell?

[AJ1356]

ME, I want one as well, but I am not as welling to buy one from the auctions, i wanna feel one before buy it.

[Iain]

Yes! There is a particular sword from Mandara someone owns that I want. It will probably annoy me until the day I die.

I would settle for a few other types from the region as well. Unfortunately I have on average a better chance of buy a cheap shamshir.

My collection has shrunk this year, but become more focused. Down to a core of pieces I will never part with. Which is not to say I miss a few things but have had to prioritize. I've also really enjoyed providing some fellow collectors with pieces they needed/wanted.

[Rick]

Originally Posted by Iain

My collection has shrunk this year, but become more focused. Down to a core of pieces I will never part with. Which is not to say I miss a few things but have had to prioritize. I've also really enjoyed providing some fellow collectors with pieces they needed/wanted.

I have been toying with the idea of releasing some of my non-keris related pieces myself; but I'm finding it hard to let go .

This is a poor time to sell also what with the economy ...

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Rick

I have been toying with the idea of releasing some of my non-keris related pieces myself; but I'm finding it hard to let go .

This is a poor time to sell also what with the economy ...

I agree on the poor times for sellers. My recent efforts in the swap forum I think go a long way to demonstrating that!

I'm stuck in an area of collecting with a much smaller following than most. Still, good times come and go, the swords I think will weather it.

It wasn't easy letting go of pieces at first, but it did make me thing long and hard about my collection. For whatever reason I bond with certain pieces and not with others. A sell off is a nice way to find out which ones you really care about and can help define the direction of a collection for future years.

[Rick]

Originally Posted by Iain

It wasn't easy letting go of pieces at first, but it did make me thing long and hard about my collection. For whatever reason I bond with certain pieces and not with others. A sell off is a nice way to find out which ones you really care about and can help define the direction of a collection for future years.

Yes, they become a little part of you
Very hard to part with .

I dream of having some nice ivory figural keris hilts .

It will most likely remain a dream only .

[A. G. Maisey]

I used to have a dream.

I used to dream that I would acquire every keris that became available.

This was in Sydney, Australia , during the 1950's and early 1960's.

Then I grew up, and the world became a very much smaller place.

Now I am in a different phase of life, and although I still do acquire keris for my personal collection, this acquisition is very restricted, and I am letting pieces go that I have had for many years.

I do agree that the world economy has had some effect on sales of collectables, and on-line auctions had an even greater effect, but speaking for myself I have had no difficulty at all in finding new homes for keris that I have offered for sale.

A quick flick through the ebay sold columns will show that lower end pieces do not sell at all well, and I have yet to see a better quality piece offered on ebay. Good quality always has a buyer.

[Lew]

Well one day I would like a nice wootz tulwar or sousson pata but with three more years of college to pay for......I can dream can't I.

[Dom]

Originally Posted by A.alnakkas

To own a shamshir :-)
...snip...
Anyone else with such a dream aswell?

Hi Lotfi ...
same dream too ... but when I'm seen the price ... I felt me "small boy"

also, I tried something else ...
I bought what was sold as parts of ... shamshir, I have
- an handle nearly in good condition and well typed
- a blade typically "Shami" with a nice cartouche "Hayat El Qadi Ya" (Oh! wish Fulfiller)
- a scabbard in poor condition, but with; two (2) suspension brace, not too bad

and now
I must find, where I may get it, a "crossed guard" ...
I shall see in India to request a quotation, to make me a copy ??
for in brass; cross guard, locket and chape mount, same shape

the price for the parts was affordable, and either in Istanbul or Damascus,
I shall find some specialists who gonna help me to refurbish it nicely

it will not be "a complete original sword" but at least I hope to have an interesting Shamshir,
and not too much expensive

force to do, as we may, and not every time, as we want

al hamdoulillah Allah Karim


à +

Dom

long with hilt - 90 cm or ±*35,50 inch
blade - 80 cm or ±*31,50 inch
hilt in horn

[kahnjar1]

.....the saying goes that "Dreams are Free". How is it then, that those things we dream of cost many $$??

[Dom]

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

.....the saying goes that "Dreams are Free". How is it then, that those things we dream of cost many $$??

the worst part is that I don't have only one passion
(outside of my beloved wife)

an other; the bowls, Islamic talismanic & magic
and there again, the interesting items are very expensive

but, also ... why we love the beauty

à +

Dom

[A.alnakkas]

Very nice shamshir, Dom. I have info for you on Facebook regarding crossguards :-)

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by A.alnakkas

Very nice shamshir, Dom. I have info for you on Facebook regarding crossguards :-)

I have had a lifelong dream concerning antique arms too, but not as much in owning or collecting them though I once did. My dream has remained to study, learn and share as much on the history and development of these fascinating and ever important icons of virtually all cultures as I possibly can. I dreamed of having a huge comprehensive library which would be a resource center for the study of arms worldwide, where scholars and collectors alike would study and preserve this valuable and altogether too often overlooked history.
These forums have been the dream come true for me, and it has been a fantastic odyssey of well over a decade which continues to unfold each day and every new 'adventure'. The weapons you guys find and share here are my vicarious joy, and studying them so that we can learn is wonderful.

How many times have I heard the line, 'if only they could speak', remarked looking wistfully at old weapons........they do!!!! If we just learn to understand what thier clues tell us

I must ask, why is this stuff on Facebook ??? We need it here!!!!!!
Our archives are ever growing, and provide daily help to collectors and students worldwide.....evidenced by the volume of views (often many hundreds of views compared to the number of posts..some of our classic threads in the thousands). I learn here every single day and hope the dream goes on always!!!!


All the very best,
Jim

[A.alnakkas]

Hey Jim,

There is no information hidden or anything, just that I may be able to find someone who can make sword parts.. but before I start advertising for them, I thought I get to try their work personally :-)

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by A.alnakkas

Hey Jim,

There is no information hidden or anything, just that I may be able to find someone who can make sword parts.. but before I start advertising for them, I thought I get to try their work personally :-)

Thanks Abdullatif,
I thought it might have been about variations in the forms or notes on the elements like quillon terminals etc. in identifying vintage and so on.....you might place an ad in the swap forum and the word might get out too.

[A.alnakkas]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Thanks Abdullatif,
I thought it might have been about variations in the forms or notes on the elements like quillon terminals etc. in identifying vintage and so on.....you might place an ad in the swap forum and the word might get out too.

The crossguard will be the easiest part to make I think, Persian, badawi and syrian crossguards are easy to tell apart.

The toughest part is having the time and resources to travel :P

[Dom]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

I must ask, why is this stuff on Facebook ??? We need it here!!!!!!

Hi Jim don't be worry, keep cool
all what we may show somewhere else, it's prior introduced here,
we are just exchanging information, about ; where to found "parts of shamshir"

I put on "swap forum" a post, 2 months ago, without success
and I still yet looking for it, or a manufacturer

it was to avoid "buzz" not concerning edged weapons as mean subject,
but more commercial informations

no desire to create a "gang" separated

à +

Dom

[Dom]

Originally Posted by A.alnakkas

The toughest part is having the time and resources to travel :P

but in our days, the travels it's less a problem of time, or resources,
but more ... according with geopolitical situation ...
with all these countries "boiling"

à +

Dom

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Dom

Hi Jim don't be worry, keep cool
all what we may show somewhere else, it's prior introduced here,
we are just exchanging information, about ; where to found "parts of shamshir"

I put on "swap forum" a post, 2 months ago, without success
and I still yet looking for it, or a manufacturer

it was to avoid "buzz" not concerning edged weapons as mean subject,
but more commercial informations

no desire to create a "gang" separated

à +

Dom

Gotcha Dom!
I like our 'gang' staying together!!
Thank you for being diligent on the commercial stuff you guys, I like your style.
All the best,
Jim

[Gavin Nugent]

We all have dreams, dreams are necessary to life....

Mine are often haunted by three particular types of sabre I'd give up almost anything in my collections to own and will when the time is right.
I have also been dreaming of a picket fence made from spears ever since David mentioned it some time back!!!

All I can say is keep dreaming, dream big and do not be afraid to put it all on the line to achieve your dreams. The only thing that will stop you from fulfilling your dreams is you.

Keep your dreams alive guys!

Gav