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MAMELUKE SHORT SWORD, SHAMSHIR - DIRK 

 

MAMELUKE SHORT SWORD DIRK

 

Dirk: 20 1/2" long overall. 15 1/4" blade length

 

 

 

Presented is a sharply curved short sword or dirk with a traditional Mamluke crossguard, hilt, scimitar-like blade that historically was used by Mamluke warriors from whom the sword derives its name. It is related to the Persian shamshir from where the style migrated to India, Egypt and North Africa. Inn the 19th century, the style was adopted by several Western militaries, including the French Army, British Army and the United States Marine Corps. The MAMLUKE sword remains the ceremonial Side arm for some units to this day.

 

The hilt is a bass or bronze casting incorporating a leaf and floral design with a straight cross guard and acorn quillions. Most of its gilt remains. The blade is highly polished with a few small dark areas mainly near the tip. The blade shows grinding marks along its edge and could benefit from additional finishing. Stamped on the blade near the hilt are the numbers "948" and "34".

 

Dirks have a long history in Scotland and elsewhere and have also been considered a short sword. In the U.S, the dirk is considered a short weapon with either a straight blade or one exaggeratedly curved which was worn by mainly naval officers when in undress uniform or on boat duty. It was still part of a midshipman's uniform in 1867.

 

DIMENSIONS:

 

Dirk: 20 1/2" long overall. 15 1/4" blade length. Hilt 5 1/4" Max width of blade 1" Thickness of blade /16"                 Weight 1 lb 4 oz

 

Distinctive Mamluke grip with original gilding. Note numbers   THE MAMLUKES: Mamluk also translated mamluq, mameluk, mameluke, mamaluke, marmeluke or mamluke was a slave soldier who converted to Islam and served the Muslim caliphs and the Ayyubid sultans during the Middle Ages. Over time, they became a powerful military caste often defeating the Crusaders. On more than one occasion, they seized power for themselves; for example, ruling Egypt in the Mamluk Sultanate from 1250–1517. During other periods they had significant importance in India, Iraq, and in Napoleon's Army where they served as a corps in a number of campaigns in the early 19th Century.

Admiral Sir William Sidney Smith, RN, Siege of Acre 1799

CONDITION:  The brass work is in exceptional condition with much of the original gilding present. The blade shows some small spots of discoloration near the tip. It is in good condition, but has been sharpened by grinding.  The brass knuckle guard is tight in the hilt. The original leather dampener is present.

 

Without exception for its age and years of use this is a first rate Mamluke short sword or dirk of unknown origin.