HELP WITH A LARGE YATAGHAN!

[TVV]

Originally Posted by ariel

Pay attention to the rings: it was hanging, not stuck under the belt.

I saw that, and thought about Jim claiming that large yataghans like this were used as a cavalryw eapon, though I am not sure of the reference for this.

Again, it looks to me like someone fitted this yataghan with a scabbard to wear it like a hanger.

[ariel]

Elgood's book on Balkan weapons ( pp.150-151) shows yataghans with karabela or kilij handles, crossguards and suspension rings: they all belonged to personalities in the Greek Navy.

[Rick]

Outstanding blade profile; beautiful curves !

Similar profile can be seen in Gerome's painting Heads Of The Rebel Beys .

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by TVV

I saw that, and thought about Jim claiming that large yataghans like this were used as a cavalryw eapon, though I am not sure of the reference for this.

Again, it looks to me like someone fitted this yataghan with a scabbard to wear it like a hanger.

Thanks Teodor for remembering my comments These kinds of heavy deep bellied blades I believe were quite possibly used indeed as horsemans sabres in some of the Illyrian units . These were if I remember correctly French units of irregular troops from Balkan regions and often commanded by French officers around the turn of the century into early 19th. . I cannot recall details further but much of this was based on research on one of these swords which had a vestigial crossguard, cleft staghorn grip with large brass grip rivets like this...the blade was of this shape with a crowned cypher and ligature suggesting European noble family heraldry.
The blade seemed European made if I recall, and of this heavy deep bellied yataghan shape.

All best regards,
Jim

[libra]

Thank you all for your comments!
Here some photos from near distance of the blade and the handle!
I believe that the handle is Balkan in opposition with the scabbard whoever it shows European!