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8th January 2012, 06:43 PM
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#1 | |
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE
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Salaams Iain ... Your reference is like #1 to this thread and could be by origin African Red Sea (Yemeni or Saudia) or related to Mamluke or an Algerian derivative. It apparently has the wolf too... like other examples I have handled the wolf is a diversionary mark intended to hoist the price. The description on your reference states and I quote: "Sword blade from a cavalry sword, Passau wolf mark in the lower part of the double-edged blade, point rounded later, wooden grip bound with leather and ornamental silver wire, made in central Africa, blade - 16th/17th cent., hilt - early 19th century, length 97 cm, length of blade 78 cm" Unquote. The information is very sketchy and only half believable. The only thing vaguelly Omani about this Sayf is the hilt. Though I dont have the sword in front of me I can see that it is as the # 1 in style... Thick inflexible blade with a point. Omani blades are by definition spatulate tipped and very springy... as I say a 90 degree bend is normal. Regarding the New Omani Sayf of circa 18th C and said to be a European Trade Blade ~The vital ingredient of these Omani Sayfs is their flexibility, spatulate tip and on a long hilt. If it is stiff or pointed it is not Omani. Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi |
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8th January 2012, 07:15 PM
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#2 | |
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Olomouc
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Cheers, Iain |
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8th January 2012, 07:24 PM
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#3 | |
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Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE
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Ibrahiim. Afternote ~ That does not rule out a sword being hilted with an Omani long handle and used by an Omani trader, slaver or individual on the African coast in the Zanzibar hub. I am certain you will agree with that possibility though obviously that does not qualify the weapon as Omani proper. I think they qualify as hybrid being a crossbreed of the above styles. Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 9th January 2012 at 03:40 PM. |
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8th January 2012, 07:28 PM
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#4 | |
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Location: The Sharp end
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I have to agree that some clarity is needed here Ibrahiim. Could I expand on Iain's request and ask that for those who haven't followed this epic threads many pages as closely as those heavily involved, could we (I) possibly have a summary of the points that you are proposing, set out as concise and short a list as possible? Thanks Gene |
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8th January 2012, 07:43 PM
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#5 | |
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE
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Salaams Gene ... If you read back through the thread you will see I do that at intervals since this is as you point out somewhat complicated. I believe it may be enlightening to look at Michael Blalocks thread in unison at his Arabian Swords # 1 where the Red Sea interloper sword is pictured cased in a Yemeni military museum. Meanwhile I will outline the arguement tomorrow as its near midnight here... and hopefully set the position straight... On the straight Sayf ! Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi |
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) there has to be a reason what you are terming African trade blades are showing up in Omani mounts and while I certainly don't have the cultural insight you have, I am a little lost then as to why, if the flexibility is so important, stiffer blades seem to have been used as well... Is the flexibility what makes the sword truly Omani in your opinion? Because judging from the examples I'm posting there seems to be no problem with Omanis using stiffer blades...
Hybrid Mode
