A cutlass: where from?

ariel · 23rd June 2020, 04:27 PM

Here is a smallish cutlass with a " bird-like " pommel and a pronounced yelman.
Similar examples were shown in Elgood's Greece book and identified as North African (Algerian most likely). I agree wholeheartedly.
However, I am a bit confused with the scabbard. It is covered by a thin shagreen-like leather and has a brass chape of ( what looks like) North Indian/ Afghani open-work fashion.

Even though Afghani Navy can be safely excluded:-), the scabbard still nags me after many years of hanging on my wall.

Any opinions? Please put my hesitations to rest.

David R · 23rd June 2020, 09:45 PM

Central Asian"Varient Shashka" based on a Kilij trade blade?.........

Bob A · 24th June 2020, 01:08 AM

It does have a sort of Turkish/Caucasian vibe.

Gavin Nugent · 24th June 2020, 01:44 AM

An interesting combination of styles... I don't think your mind will rest...

At face value, Algeria in style all the way... then you break down the components...

Scabbard drag you note as Indian, also seen on Afghan weapons on occasion...

Then consider the bolster, Afghan sabres carry the same bolsters and to some degree the grip and pommel too...

What lines and parallels can be drawn

Gavin

ariel · 24th June 2020, 02:23 AM

And then... “ indian ricasso” and a slit at the mouth of the scabbard to accommodate the curvature of the blade...

The more one looks at it , the more one gets confused.

Gavin Nugent · 24th June 2020, 09:02 AM

Ariel,

Is the pommel cloven like the Afghan sabres?

Gavin

23rd June 2020, 04:27 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	A cutlass: where from? Here is a smallish cutlass with a " bird-like " pommel and a pronounced yelman. Similar examples were shown in Elgood's Greece book and identified as North African (Algerian most likely). I agree wholeheartedly. However, I am a bit confused with the scabbard. It is covered by a thin shagreen-like leather and has a brass chape of ( what looks like) North Indian/ Afghani open-work fashion. Even though Afghani Navy can be safely excluded:-), the scabbard still nags me after many years of hanging on my wall. Any opinions? Please put my hesitations to rest. Attached Images

23rd June 2020, 09:45 PM	#2
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,052	Central Asian"Varient Shashka" based on a Kilij trade blade?.........

24th June 2020, 01:08 AM	#3
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 411	It does have a sort of Turkish/Caucasian vibe.

24th June 2020, 01:44 AM	#4
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	An interesting combination of styles... I don't think your mind will rest... At face value, Algeria in style all the way... then you break down the components... Scabbard drag you note as Indian, also seen on Afghan weapons on occasion... Then consider the bolster, Afghan sabres carry the same bolsters and to some degree the grip and pommel too... What lines and parallels can be drawn Gavin

24th June 2020, 02:23 AM	#5
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	And then... “ indian ricasso” and a slit at the mouth of the scabbard to accommodate the curvature of the blade... The more one looks at it , the more one gets confused.

24th June 2020, 09:02 AM	#6
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Ariel, Is the pommel cloven like the Afghan sabres? Gavin