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Internet Sword Collectors Association (ISCA)
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Mystery Sword 8
Any ideas on the origin of this sword? Can you read the markings? Guesses are Islamic Soviet republic, Iran, Iraq, or Turkey.
Here is some input from a knowledgeable collector ....
Hi! Writing on the blade, hilt and scabbard is in Farsi. It is stamped numbers (On mine they are same on the blade and hilt. The scabbard is painted black with some orange paint on scabbard's "neck", ring and tip). By using an online Farsi to English translator you can determine the numbers (http://www.farsidic.net/FarsiDic.asp?farsi). This sword most likely belonged to a member of Persian(Iranian) Cossack Brigade.The most notable Iranian officer who served in that force was Reza Khan, later Reza Shah Pahlavi (also known as Pahlevi). He was an officer of the Iranian Army who later became a very progressive Iranian Shah. This Cossack Brigade was formed with the help of Russian Tsar (Tsarist government to be more precise). Russia was competing with Britain over political control of Iran. Russian Officers served in that bridage as commanding officers, assisting and training Iranians. Assuming the sword was used by the brigade members, we can date it between late 19th to early/mid 20th century. Some people go as far as to say that the sword was actually made in makes sense to me, though iron scabbard is a bit unusual. It is also possible that Iranian army simply copied the sword and manufactured it locally, but I think it is less likely - similarity to the original is amazing.
Eugene Khusid
Copyright 2002 Internet Sword Collectors Association
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