Kilij for comment
 

Hello and Happy Holidays to all.
What is your opinion on this Kilij .
I think the blade is European.
There was a topic in the forum , similar to mine, there were opinions that he was Balkan.

Regards,
Ivo

Hello,

I am not well versed in Ottoman blades but yours is definitely not of the classic Ottoman shape.

I don't even see anything to point towards Balkan origins.

To my eyes, your blade is a classic European (my guess would be German) trade blade very similar to the European hussars blades. :shrug:

I attach a photo of a classic Ottoman shamshir, one of a classic kilij and a hussar's for comparison.

With respect to the dress, it is certainly Ottoman but whether Turkish or Balkan, I cannot say. :shrug:

It is a classic Ottoman kilij, only it is a late Ottoman kilij,end of 19 century. At that time both Ottomans and Persians started importing European ( very often German) trade blades and installing S-guards. Over the years there were several such examples posted here, and some of them had names of Armenian suppliers etched on the blades, and some even had location of the business next to the names: “ Constantinople”. By that time Ottomans largely lost their Balkan components, so I am pretty sure your kilij was of Anatolian origin.

Examples of such swords are shown in Astvatsaturyan’s book on Turkish weapons.

The style of the decoration on the brass furniture of the scabbard looks very Balkan to me, and is typical of the late 19th century. The blade looks older than the fittings, which is not unusual, as valued heirloom blades were often rehilted. Jim will probably opine on the blade, but I would guess Austrian/Central European from the 18th century. Very nice sword Ivo, congratulations.

I wouldn’t rule out India as the source of the blade. The semi circle “eyelash” as well as the other two symbols can be found on Indian blades of similar overall design and profile. Looks like you have a recessed spine, a sort of fuller on the spine, which is another feature found on Indian blades and a few other cultures. (China, E Europe). Given those features I doubt it is an European blade.

My $0.02. 🤓

I do not know wether these "eyelashs" hve been in use in India. What I know is that this feature is often to be found on the blades of Hungarian husar sabres.
corrado26

You may have an Ottoman Hungarian sword

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...=styrian+sword

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=20664

Some people say that these swords are from Bulgaria.

I'm fine with both options...