Is this kilij real?

ariel · 6th March 2017, 06:20 AM

It ended on E-Bay for ~$1250. Advertised as "antique... with possibly real silver crossguard"
I have a very uneasy feeling about it:
1. Wooden handle with no signs of usage and with reddish traces of wood stain in the incisions
2. The crossguard is extremely crude: I haven't seen real Ottoman or Iranian ones of such poor quality
3. My main concern is with the blade: it is pitted and patinated, but the "golden" inscriptions on top of all that crud are perfectly intact.

Overall, it looks to me like a very modern Syrian creation.

Am I being paranoid?

6th March 2017, 06:20 AM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Is this kilij real? It ended on E-Bay for ~$1250. Advertised as "antique... with possibly real silver crossguard" I have a very uneasy feeling about it: 1. Wooden handle with no signs of usage and with reddish traces of wood stain in the incisions 2. The crossguard is extremely crude: I haven't seen real Ottoman or Iranian ones of such poor quality 3. My main concern is with the blade: it is pitted and patinated, but the "golden" inscriptions on top of all that crud are perfectly intact. Overall, it looks to me like a very modern Syrian creation. Am I being paranoid? Attached Images