Shamshir for comment

[Congoblades]

After a google search I presume it is a shamshir and turkish
The cross-guard is different than most I see on the web.
96 cm long.
I would appreciate your comments about the origin and age.
The cross-guard is loose, is there a way to fix it?

[Oliver Pinchot]

It's hard to say where this sword is actually from because it's a combination of parts. The blade is good Caucasian work, probably made in Tbilisi c. 1850. The guard is Persian, and considerably earlier; this type with recurved quillons is rare. The grips are more or less recent. It was probably assembled for use in the early 20th century.

[Kubur]

Dear Oliver,
Are you sure that the blade is Caucasian?
I have a Persian Qadara with the same stamps...
The blade looks Persian for me.
Regards
Kubur

[Congoblades]

Found this picture on the net, similar guard.

shamshir-nader-shah-afsharid-dr-khorasani

[kronckew]

Originally Posted by Congoblades

The cross-guard is loose, is there a way to fix it?

might be due to shrinkage of the wood grip scales. you could try soaking the hilt in linseed oil to swell it a bit, as long as the scales are not also attached with an oil soluble glue; that might however let you disassemble the hilt easier & tighten it back on cleaning and re-assembling it. injecting a modern filler like epoxy steel into the gap is likely to be frowned on & reduce it's value. a big blob of goop like the last photo would also not be a good idea. some middle eastern swords have that area wound with wire, which might be something to try first. it at least will not be a permanent repair that might lessen the item's value.


adding a pin thru the guard like that thru gold koftgari is also not a good career move. i do note in my photo above there was some sort of glue, possibly cutler's cement under the wire which came thru a bit. might even be silver solder. not my weapon.

this one shows the outline of the guard grip languet under the wire a bit better.


i recall someone posted instructions on reconstructing a turkish hilt here somewhere that might help.

[Congoblades]

Thanks. The wire is probably the safest thing to do. Simple and it will keep the guard at his place. Nice.

[Oliver Pinchot]

Kubur, why not post a pic of your blade so we can compare them.
Congoblades, the original treatment, and also the most conscientious form of restoration, would be to fill the aperture between the guard and blade with a water-soluble paste or putty.

[Kubur]

Voila
Very similar...
Best,

[ariel]

South Caucasian Qaddara, they migrated to Iran to be used in the Ashura ceremony.

[ariel]

Originally Posted by Oliver Pinchot

Kubur, why not post a pic of your blade so we can compare them.
Congoblades, the original treatment, and also the most conscientious form of restoration, would be to fill the aperture between the guard and blade with a water-soluble paste or putty.

Oliver,
Can you recommend a particular brand?