17C. Omani Kattara Sword

Early swords from the Arab cultures use to employ straight heavy blades. Curved shamshir style swords were adopted by many Arab communities and cultures  around the 10th C.  In two regions of the Arab peninsula   – Oman and Yemen straight blade swords continued to be used.  The known  Omani Kattara sword was extensively used as from the 17 C. , in the 18 and 19 C. and well into the beginning of the 20 C.

The early Kattara swords are characterized by the wide  blade  and whole steel heavy handle. The early Kattara sword offered here has a well made blade forged from laminated steel (may be an early Sham forge). Massive steel handle with leather bound grip. Steel cross guard set with silver rosettes.  Leather covered scabbard with a silver wire seam.

Blade length 24 1/2 inches. Total length 31 1/2  inches. Good condition to age. Blackened  and lightly pitted small spots on the blade. The leather cover of the scabbard is later. This sword is dated at the late 17 – early C.