Bosnian Bichaq

gp · 13th June 2022, 10:13 PM

talking about a variant or (to me a little at least) strange is this one I just puchased

Indeed a bichaq but not the regular "warrior" or combattant one, nor the one for ceremonial purposes (like after the Habsburg annexation).

Why?
Simple; its size is too small / short.

Dimensions:
total length 21,0 cm with scabbard
blade 19,5 cm - width 1,8 cm
handle/grip 9,5 cm

strange in my opinion is the handle /grip : not the typical "yataghan"type but an animal (looks like a deer)

at those time you didn't had such a thing like "artistic" freedom , nor where the makers that couageous or daring to try such a thing.. Specially in the Ottoman times. My guess would be that it was made for a child of either a (very) rich merchant or aristocrat in the Balkans.

remark: the decoration on the ferrule is very fine and not seen or hardly on bichaqs as is on this one...
the metal scabbard looks "scruffy"but my guess is that the leather on it has disappeared, hence leaving it "naked"

What do you think ?

13th June 2022, 10:13 PM	#27
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 668	talking about a variant or (to me a little at least) strange is this one I just puchased Indeed a bichaq but not the regular "warrior" or combattant one, nor the one for ceremonial purposes (like after the Habsburg annexation). Why? Simple; its size is too small / short. Dimensions: total length 21,0 cm with scabbard blade 19,5 cm - width 1,8 cm handle/grip 9,5 cm strange in my opinion is the handle /grip : not the typical "yataghan"type but an animal (looks like a deer) at those time you didn't had such a thing like "artistic" freedom , nor where the makers that couageous or daring to try such a thing.. Specially in the Ottoman times. My guess would be that it was made for a child of either a (very) rich merchant or aristocrat in the Balkans. remark: the decoration on the ferrule is very fine and not seen or hardly on bichaqs as is on this one... the metal scabbard looks "scruffy"but my guess is that the leather on it has disappeared, hence leaving it "naked" What do you think ? Attached Images Last edited by gp; 13th June 2022 at 10:27 PM.