art-of-swords:

Ottoman Yatagan with Walrus Ivory Handle

• Dated: 1855
• Medium: steel, gold, walrus ivory
• Measurements: blade, 62 cm long. Overall length of 76 cm

This Ottoman yatagan features a steel blade, richly overlaid with gold, displaying a large walrus ivory handle, embellished with gold-gilt filigree. The gold overlay to both sides of the blade is extensive with an engraving saying “Sâhib wa mâlek Suleiman 1855”, meaning “Lord and owner Suleiman 1855”.

This yatagan might be a souvenir for an English officer from his Ottoman allies, during the Crimean War in 1855. The sword is of typical form with a curved, long and relatively thin blade. There is no guard for the hilt and the pommel spreads out in large wings. Yatagan swords originated in the Ottoman Turkey and spread to northern Africa and Egypt with the Mamluks.

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