A Unique European Hunting Sword With an Indo-Persian Wootz Blade

[CharlesS]

Thanks guys!

Miguel, thanks especially for your translation.

[eftihis]

To me, the second digit on the date looks like "o" That gives a date of 1021 islamic, ie 1612, which looks much more likely for such a quality blade. Also, the second digit cannot be a "worn two" because even if it was, the remaining lines
do not correspond with the shape of the other "2" on the right.

[AJ1356]

Originally Posted by eftihis

To me, the second digit on the date looks like "o" That gives a date of 1021 islamic, ie 1612, which looks much more likely for such a quality blade. Also, the second digit cannot be a "worn two" because even if it was, the remaining lines
do not correspond with the shape of the other "2" on the right.

I agree the date reads 1021 very clearly.
the rest says, Servant of Shah e Welaayet (Imam Ali the first Imam and the fourth Caliph) Abbas. This is the correct reading of this type of seal, I believe I have explained this elsewhere.
The bottom seal reads, Work of Kalb Ali ibn e Assad.

Very nice blade, the patterns is beautiful.

[Bryce]

G'day Charles. Great sword.

Is it just me or does this blade have a kirk narduban pattern with the steps on a slant! I haven't come across this before.

Cheers,
Bryce

[Rick]

Timeline according to blade date:
http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/germany-I

[kronckew]

There were a number of sharp pointy things outside Wien in 1683 that the Turks decided they didn't need anymore after they were persuaded by a few Polish Winged Hussars that their welcome had been worn out and that they should leave. I wouldn't be surprised some were repurposed.

[David]

Originally Posted by AJ1356

I agree the date reads 1021 very clearly.
the rest says, Servant of Shah e Welaayet (Imam Ali the first Imam and the fourth Caliph) Abbas. This is the correct reading of this type of seal, I believe I have explained this elsewhere.
The bottom seal reads, Work of Kalb Ali ibn e Assad.

Very nice blade, the patterns is beautiful.

Please excuse my ignorance on such things, but shouldn't this be read from right to left, making the Arabic date 1201, or roughly 1787?

[Roland_M]

Originally Posted by David

Please excuse my ignorance on such things, but shouldn't this be read from right to left, making the Arabic date 1201, or roughly 1787?

Hi David,

nowadays Arabic dates are written from left to right.
See this example, 1980 = 1359.


Roland

[David]

Originally Posted by Roland_M

Hi David,

nowadays Arabic dates are written from left to right.
See this example, 1980 = 1359.


Roland

OK, but was that also true 3-400 years ago when this blade was supposedly forged?

[kamals]

Originally Posted by David

OK, but was that also true 3-400 years ago when this blade was supposedly forged?

I think that it depended on the region. There's a book floating around title The Origin of the Arabic Numerals. I can't remember the author but it had some nice plates of examples of early Arabic numeral use in the Muslim East, the Muslim West, and the Christian West. I have it but can't find it on my shelves this morning :-(

In any case, there were definitely early left right uses that he recorded in his book. I'll give a good look when I get home from work. It's around here somewhere...