These yataghan short swords were used in Ottoman Turkey and throughout the Ottoman Empire, particularly in areas such as the Balkans and the Caucasus. It is likely that this example hailed from the Anatolian region of Turkey in the late 18th Century.
The 590mm single-edged recurved blade has a thick, flat spine with a forward curve that lifts towards the point. The blade is ideally suited to both thrusting and cutting. One side of the blade bears script inlaid in silver each word separated by three tulip flowers. I do not know the meaning of the words but it is likely that they are either a quote from the Quran, maybe a makers’ details and date or possibly talismanic in nature, such as the names of the “Seven Sleepers,” intended to bring the bearer good fortune and protect them in battle.
The obverse of the blade is inlaid with a silver design incorporating small tulip flowers. The tulip period in Ottoman history dated from the Treaty of Passarowitz on 21 July 1718 to the Patrona Halil Revolt on 28 September 1730. The tulip took on a national significance and the design was used throughout Ottoman art.
The hollow ground blade retains a fighting edge and is in good condition with a pale patina and shallow pitting. Most of the inlaid design is intact with small losses.
The large “eared” hilt is made of horn grip scales with the gap between the horn scales covered by a brass strap. The brass bolster continues onto the blade and is formed around the blade shoulders to reinforce the hilt. The use of horn and brass indicates that this yataghan was a fighting sword as opposed to a high-status piece for a member of the elite class. High status yataghan sword hilts tended to be made of ivory, rhino horn (which polishes to a warm amber colour) or silver and were ornately decorated with precious stones.
This is a nice example of an 18th Century Turkish Ottoman yataghan sword.
