Antique 18th Century Turkish Ottoman Gold Damascened Islamic Sword Shamshir with Damascus Steel Wootz Blade

An exceptional antique late 18th -early 19th century Turkish Ottoman gold-damascened Islamic sword Shamshir with an older than the mounting, Safavid blade. Curved single-edged sturdy blade, very well hand-forged from crucible steel (wootz) with a fine Damascus pattern. Decorated on the outer side with two gold, inlaid oval cartouches with elaborate Arabic calligraphic script.

A hilt formed of horn grip-scales, enclosed by gold-inlaid steel straps rising to a bulbous pommel in a characteristic Turkish Ottoman style, pierced with a hole, and affixed with a pair of brass washers for the suspension tassel.

A “S”-shaped steel crossguard with flattened quillons and finials, gold inlaid with a floral pattern en- suite with the handle straps. The crossguard and the pommel are connected by twin chains.

In its leather-bound wooden scabbard stitched with spiral copper wire, and mounted with a large, shaped gold inlaid steel locket, chape, and two elegantly shaped steel suspension mounts, all finally inlaid in gold.

REFERENCES :

1. A Turkish Ottoman sword Shamshir with a similar hilt is published on the cover of the book: Gold & Damaszenerstahl - Klingenkunst aus dem Osmanischen Reich / Gold & Damascus Steel - The Ottoman Art of Bladesmithingby Marcus Pilz and on the page. 120. No.13.

2. A similarTurkish Ottoman sword Shamshir is published in the book. Islamic and Oriental Arms and Armour: A Lifetime's Passion by Robert Hales.Page. 216. No.531.

We will also provide the buyer with photocopies of the pages from the mentioned references, together with a certificate of authenticity.

MEASUREMENTS:

Overall length with scabbard: 99 cm (38.98 inches).

Length of the sword without scabbard: 96 cm (37.8inches).

Length of the blade: 80.5. cm (31.69 inches).

Width of the blade at the widest point near the crossguard: 2.8 cm (1.1 inches).

Thickness of the blade at the spine: 6 mm (0.24 inches),

CONDITION:

It shows age and use: missing a strap of leather at the bottom of the leather cover of the scabbard, bulbous pommel of the horn hilt with some abrasions.

Please see the photos as they are a part of the description.

PROVENANCE: Ex-private old Canadian collection of Islamic art and arms formed in the 1980s.

To view all 20 pictures of the sword, please see the link below: