Yataghan for discussion.

[gp]

Originally Posted by kronckew

Just acquired this straight yataghan, sold at auction as a:


Good antique Turkish or Ottoman, Yataghan sword in hard scabbard, overall length approximately 29". The blade has triple impressed marking. Metals seem to be silver and brass. Lots of silver pins on the grip. The grip hasn't any ears!


Needs a good cleaning. The white goop I'm hoping is metal polish residue. The brass 'tonku' came out nice, tho. Will post better pics when it arrives.



My Research points to Istanbul 1850-1890, the marks being a guild mark or the maker's personal mark.

Any ideas on its age and area of origin welcome.



Thanks all...

I can't say much about the origin at this moment, except that I have seen most "straight" blade ones made in the Bay of Kotor but also being re-used at their time ( 1800-1900).
The scabbard's end on first sight doesn't look like Montenegrin....but I could be mistaken by the only picture;
if possible could you post a closer one of its end..? as I am most curious to learn more

Looking very much forward seeing it cleaned but in general I'ld say
"lovely jubbly"

a very nice good looking one and specially the handle's decoration is more than nice ! My compliments an excellent catch !!!

[serdar]

Originally Posted by gp

The scabbard's end on first sight doesn't look like Montenegrin.

There is no Montenegrin type of scabards end, in montenegreo they used what ever they bought or in most cases captured from turks.

But there is a Kotor type end and it is in silver a rounded ball at the end always.

His i think has a bud end but it isnt clear from photos.

Il post s picture of Bokeljski jatagan or boka kotorska yatagan and there above it is seen a part of the scabbard with ball end that is Boka kotorska type.

[gp]

Originally Posted by serdar

There is no Montenegrin type of scabards end, in montenegreo they used what ever they bought or in most cases captured from turks.

But there is a Kotor type end and it is in silver a rounded ball at the end always.

His i think has a bud end but it isnt clear from photos.

Il post s picture of Bokeljski jatagan or boka kotorska yatagan and there above it is seen a part of the scabbard with ball end that is Boka kotorska type.

For convenience sake, my friend... I referred to Montenegro as there is where the Bay of Kotor ( Boka Kotorska) can be found today.
This is eassier for most folks
you don't refer to Belgrade in the Ottoman times as Pashaluk or Sanjak of Smederovo...

One can't expect each forum member to have that detailed knowledge.

My comment was based upon the lack of bud on the foto and request for a more detail as otherwise it would be an assumption, and assumptions are the mother of all.... The bud could also have been broken off, that is another possibility.

Neverhtelss it is and remains a beautiful yataghan that would be a excellent piece in any collection !

[gp]

as comparison the only "straight"yataghan I a have,
although to compare it is incorrect, due to the fact that

- mine has ears...
- and sadly no scabbard.

Total lenght is 60 cm (so actually rather short / small....)
The grip made out some kind of bone, which I would not dare to say

and 2 more pics of a straight one

[serdar]

Originally Posted by gp

For convenience sake, my friend... I referred to Montenegro as there is where the Bay of Kotor ( Boka Kotorska) can be found today.
This is eassier for most folks
you don't refer to Belgrade in the Ottoman times as Pashaluk or Sanjak of Smederovo...

One can't expect each forum member to have that detailed knowledge.

My comment was based upon the lack of bud on the foto and request for a more detail as otherwise it would be an assumption, and assumptions are the mother of all.... The bud could also have been broken off, that is another possibility.

Neverhtelss it is and remains a beautiful yataghan that would be a excellent piece in any collection !

Boka and montenegro are hot very hot topic in politics even today 😁 😁

[gp]

Originally Posted by serdar

Boka and montenegro are hot very hot topic in politics even today 😁 😁

I refrain from commenting on politics but the Bay of Kotor has a most interesting history

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_of_Kotor

FYI: I used to stay at friends in Dobrota ( next to Kotor ) the mid to end 80ies.

Recommended next to Kotor are a visit to Risan and Perast where quite some wellknown seafaring captains came from in the past centuries

On history:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kotor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perast
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risan
https://www.letrevenezie.net/pubblic...o/sommario.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalmatia

[kronckew]

Arrived yesterday, turns out the photos from the auction were very bad. I did some cleaning with a damp rag, dried it and Ballistoled it, and the scabbard. Still not sure if the grip is wood or light horn. There is s a bit of discolouration around a couple rivets that may have been from oil seeping into the grip (?).


There are a few pins missing. The grip does have some rudimentary ears. The Bolster and the wrap over the grip scales joint to the tang is silvered and darker than elsewhere, and it and the bolster is decorated. there is broken half ring i'm guessing held suspension ring for left side wear.


The double fullered 'trade' blade has a bit of shallow corrosion, but no active rust. The scabbard has a tin ribbed throat area with a few bumps and wrinkles, once decorated, but is intact, the upper bras/silvered panels have ghosts of past decor. The leather is a bit shrunken where it meets the metal covers, but is intact With just a bit of the ladder seam missing.


The lower brass section has decorated grooves, the central area appears to have a lot of shallow dents and wrinkles from normal wear and tear. The lower panels are silvered, has a few cracks and one sort of circular area about 1.5 cm. in diameter missing the lower brass and silver sections have a wide - about 2 cm. grooved reinforcing band running along the spine and the edge areas of the scabbard, joining in a cross-hatched 'acorn' finial that's a bit worn and corroded black, but reminds me of a pine cone. it has a slightly upturned 'nose', so I don't think there was any further protrusion that snapped off.


The blade markings: I tried to get a macro shot, but it looks like the one already posted. can't see any more detail. I can, however, see a ghost of a shield shape with a crown in its centre, which is essentially worn away and may be my imagination. Can't get a photo of it.


Edge is sharp, a few nicks, and a slightly rounded tip.


All in all I am a hap,hap, happy guy.

[gp]

Originally Posted by kronckew

Arrived yesterday, turns out the photos from the auction were very bad. I did some cleaning with a damp rag, dried it and Ballistoled it, and the scabbard. Still not sure if the grip is wood or light horn. There is s a bit of discolouration around a couple rivets that may have been from oil seeping into the grip (?).


There are a few pins missing. The grip does have some rudimentary ears. The Bolster and the wrap over the grip scales joint to the tang is silvered and darker than elsewhere, and it and the bolster is decorated. there is broken half ring i'm guessing held suspension ring for left side wear.


The double fullered 'trade' blade has a bit of shallow corrosion, but no active rust. The scabbard has a tin ribbed throat area with a few bumps and wrinkles, once decorated, but is intact, the upper bras/silvered panels have ghosts of past decor. The leather is a bit shrunken where it meets the metal covers, but is intact With just a bit of the ladder seam missing.


The lower brass section has decorated grooves, the central area appears to have a lot of shallow dents and wrinkles from normal wear and tear. The lower panels are silvered, has a few cracks and one sort of circular area about 1.5 cm. in diameter missing the lower brass and silver sections have a wide - about 2 cm. grooved reinforcing band running along the spine and the edge areas of the scabbard, joining in a cross-hatched 'acorn' finial that's a bit worn and corroded black, but reminds me of a pine cone. it has a slightly upturned 'nose', so I don't think there was any further protrusion that snapped off.


The blade markings: I tried to get a macro shot, but it looks like the one already posted. can't see any more detail. I can, however, see a ghost of a shield shape with a crown in its centre, which is essentially worn away and may be my imagination. Can't get a photo of it.


Edge is sharp, a few nicks, and a slightly rounded tip.


All in all I am a hap,hap, happy guy.

You should be a hap, hap, happy guy ! 100%

Congrats!

As said before it is a very nice one but also the result of your hard work; it turned out beautiful, specially the end result on the scabbard and hilt
As Delboy would say... "lovely jubbly". My compliments