Ottoman Suma Rod

vasilisnik · 15th August 2021, 06:31 PM

Very nice find.
It is of greek origin.
We call it "χαρμπί"
The niello face on it has apotropaic meaning.
It is there to protect the man who carries it against evil powers.
There are stories and folk songs that indicate the use of these as weapons apart from the use as loading rods.

Kubur · 16th August 2021, 07:36 AM

Hi Rick,

Nice catch for your firearms collection!
I confirm Greek it is!
They are very addictive be carefull!
I have two of these, one Bosnian and another Greek, from Epirus.

All the best,
Kubur

rickystl · 16th August 2021, 04:06 PM

Thanks for noting the Greek province. Much appreciated.

While we are on the subject of suma rods, here is the only other I own. I bought this from Artzi several years ago. He believed it is an earlier example, probably Ottoman. There is no hole in the grip area for a suspension loop. There is just a narrow section at the top of the grip to tie a throng unto. Otherwise just carried in the sash.

Rick

16th August 2021, 07:36 AM	#2
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Hi Rick, Nice catch for your firearms collection! I confirm Greek it is! They are very addictive be carefull! I have two of these, one Bosnian and another Greek, from Epirus. All the best, Kubur Attached Images

16th August 2021, 04:06 PM	#3
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,633	Thanks for noting the Greek province. Much appreciated. While we are on the subject of suma rods, here is the only other I own. I bought this from Artzi several years ago. He believed it is an earlier example, probably Ottoman. There is no hole in the grip area for a suspension loop. There is just a narrow section at the top of the grip to tie a throng unto. Otherwise just carried in the sash. Rick Attached Images

15th August 2021, 06:31 PM	#1
vasilisnik Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 13	Very nice find. It is of greek origin. We call it "χαρμπί" The niello face on it has apotropaic meaning. It is there to protect the man who carries it against evil powers. There are stories and folk songs that indicate the use of these as weapons apart from the use as loading rods.