A very fine Shamshir from Syria. The blade is Persian, 18th Century, forged from top quality wootz (Damascus, watered steel), marked and signed with the maker sign and decorated with gold inlay work. It is 31 inches long, curved and single edged, most probably of Persian origin. The cross guard is steel decorated with Arabic inscription. The ‘Syrian’ attribution comes mainly from the shape of the hilt and the fitting decoration. The grips are horn inlaid with brass and lead dots and decorated with brass nails. The cross guard is secured to the grips with a twisted copper wire. The pommel is steel and it is sharply down curving (very typical Arab style). Wood scabbard covered with the original black leather stitched with spirals of brass wire (the correct and difficult to do manner). All scabbard fittings and cross guard are decorated with silver Koftgary. Very good condition. Minor edge nicks and darkened spots on the blade and some of the scabbard fittings koftgari is worn. A very fine piece.