Language: Turkish

Description

Bichaq literally means "knife". In antique arms circles the term usually refers to a knife shaped somewhat like a yatağan, the sword with recurved blade that was carried by military men (infrantry) and wealthy civilians in the Ottoman empire.

Bichaq often come in a silver scabbard, usually with repousse work. Like the bigger yatağan, the bichaq also has a grip which is "eared". The grip is either made entirely of silver, of has scales of bone, ivory, horn, wood or precious stone. Many bear a date.

Bichaq

A nice example of an Ottoman bichaq with silver niello mounts and golden inscriptions to the blade.
It bears inscription dating it to Hijri 1290, (1873/74 A.D.) and the maker's name Mustafa.

 

Ottoman bichaq

An Ottoman Balkan bichaq with silver scabbard and bone grip scales.
This piece bears a date 1227, corresponding to 1811-12 A.D.

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With a rare single-edged blade with tight fullering.

€1900,-

Fine German hunting flintlock with captured Ottoman barrel.

€16000,-

With a very fine Nepalese blade, but kard-like hilt and scabbard.

€3500,-

Early type with very shallow notch in the blade and little flare in the pommel.

€2750,-

Unusual example with hilts carved in lionesque heads.

€850,-

The pierced silver mounts with parcel gilding and red velvet backing.

€775,-