A cutlass: where from?

ariel · 24th June 2020, 05:53 PM

Thanks a lot Teodor!

Yes, weapons travel, but a rational reason why on earth would Pashtuns copy a naval cutlas from North Africa escapes me. Obviously, they did: some “fashionista” Gilzai desperately wanted something different from a traditional Khyber:-)

ariel · 26th June 2020, 02:37 PM

Gavin’s mention of Hale’s book was very helpful.
For additional example from the same source see p. 222, #542: a rare Algerian kilij. Regretfully, no view of the entire blade and no dimensions. But: “ Algeria under the Ottoman rule produced these distinctive kilij made without a crosspiece”
Thus, my memory of Algerian attribution was correct, only the source was wrong. At least some neurons are still working...

But it seems to me that my example was unanimously attributed in toto to N. India/ Afghanistan.

Thanks to all of you for your help

Martin Lubojacky · 26th June 2020, 04:14 PM

Quotation Ariel:
Meanwhile, the closest thing I could find is the very same book by Lebedynsky ( " Les Armes Orientales", p. 68). Both are guardless ( just like mine) and just as short ( compared to the handles) and are labeled as Ottoman, mixes of Pala blade with yataghan mounts (E) and Pala blade with Caucasian shashka mounts (F). Both scabbards are distinctly different, with suspension rings, whereas mine was carried tucked under the belt ( Khyber-like).

... Just to complete a little information about mixes of saber blades with yataghan handles ...http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=16437
Martin

24th June 2020, 05:53 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Thanks a lot Teodor! Yes, weapons travel, but a rational reason why on earth would Pashtuns copy a naval cutlas from North Africa escapes me. Obviously, they did: some “fashionista” Gilzai desperately wanted something different from a traditional Khyber:-)

26th June 2020, 02:37 PM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Gavin’s mention of Hale’s book was very helpful. For additional example from the same source see p. 222, #542: a rare Algerian kilij. Regretfully, no view of the entire blade and no dimensions. But: “ Algeria under the Ottoman rule produced these distinctive kilij made without a crosspiece” Thus, my memory of Algerian attribution was correct, only the source was wrong. At least some neurons are still working... But it seems to me that my example was unanimously attributed in toto to N. India/ Afghanistan. Thanks to all of you for your help

26th June 2020, 04:14 PM	#3
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	Quotation Ariel: Meanwhile, the closest thing I could find is the very same book by Lebedynsky ( " Les Armes Orientales", p. 68). Both are guardless ( just like mine) and just as short ( compared to the handles) and are labeled as Ottoman, mixes of Pala blade with yataghan mounts (E) and Pala blade with Caucasian shashka mounts (F). Both scabbards are distinctly different, with suspension rings, whereas mine was carried tucked under the belt ( Khyber-like). ... Just to complete a little information about mixes of saber blades with yataghan handles ...http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=16437 Martin