Antique Turkish Yataghan sword

  A good quality antique Turkish or Balkan sword ‘Yataghan’. The typical leaning forward steel blade deeply engraved with a panel of arabic calligraphy to one side, and a shorter panel to the other incorporating the date 1236 (1820 AD). The hilt mounts of brass, possibly gilt, the large ‘eared’ grips are of nicely shaped black horn. The scabbard with a brass mount and bound leather or fabric to the upper section, the lower with a chiselled section of silver or silver-gilt decorated with floral swags and ending with a monsters head. A large and impressive weapon, 35.5 inches long overall. Western Balkans or Turkey. Middle East