Black Sea Yataghan (Again !?)

[Mark]

Originally Posted by ariel

I remember, it was a Turkish bayonet. This still allows for the Laz origin; as a matter of fact, they might be produced by the same person ( or workshop). One can hardly get closer to the Caucasus per se than Lazistan, it is almost Minghrelia.
I am, however, puzzed by the 3rd one: apparently, there is a specific name for it in Kazakhstan. It would be unlikely to have a specific name for a totally foreign sword. And Kazakhs are Turkic people.....
These Laz Bichaks are the damnedest thins I know; the moment you think you nailed them, some new piece of information pops up!
Aral Sea yataghan?

Now you know how I have been feeling about dha ...

I just noticed how bizarre the middle sword of the original photo is - it looks like it has a piece of a Western sabre hilt, and the end of the pommel is turned sharply up in a very awkward-looking way. Maybe you were supposed to brace your wrist inside the fork, to keep it straight during the stroke?