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Old 18th May 2018, 04:12 PM   #1
CharlesS
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Default A Unique European Hunting Sword With an Indo-Persian Wootz Blade

I have seen European hunting swords with "damascus" blades before, but have never seen one with a wootz blade, and an Islamic cartouche in addition. The blade here is of quality wootz, and I no reason to believe it is a cut-down sword...perhaps someone can convince me otherwise.

I know nothing of European swords, much less European hunting swords, so I am trying to learn a few things about this one. Its hilt is stag horn with steel mounts, including the common shell style guard. Is it a custom made sword in a certain European form(ie. German)? Is it more likely to be a Persian or Indian sword, simply mimicking European styles? Looking forward to hearing opinions!

Can anyone translate the cartouche?
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Old 19th May 2018, 12:23 AM   #2
Battara
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What great wootz!
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Old 19th May 2018, 08:22 PM   #3
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I agree with Battara, beautiful Wooten. The hilt and quillons seem plain for such a blade. I think that I can make out a date in tha bottom cartouche but the gold on the second number in the bottom left hand corner is worn and I am guessing that it is a 2. I make the date AH 1221 which equates to AD 1806 which seems about right for the sword. Others with better eyesight than me may disagree sorry I can't offer any more and thanks for posting.
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Old 20th May 2018, 05:50 PM   #4
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Thanks guys!

Miguel, thanks especially for your translation.
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Old 20th May 2018, 07:22 PM   #5
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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.
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Old 20th May 2018, 07:32 PM   #6
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Quote:
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.
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Old 24th May 2018, 12:00 PM   #7
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Congratulations to a very beautiful hunting sword.

As far as I can judge from the pictures, the pattern becomes finer close to the edge as a result of elaborate hammering to increase the quality of the blade.
Even close to the point the pattern becomes narrow. So I dont think this blade is a shortened whatever.

It is imho a British or French hunting sword and probably a contract work for a British or French citizen, which lived in India or Iran. Or maybe a present to an European officer or so.

I own an Indian Tulwar with a pipeback-blade oriented on a British pattern from early 19th ct.. So it was not too unusual for Indian and even Iranian smiths to make European edged weapons from wootz.

If I remember correctly, Kalib Ali is the son of the very famous Assadallah and in this case your sword is a magnificent one. But he lived to early to make a hunting sword in shape of a German deer catcher and all of his longswords I know are curved.


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