Up for sale is this very fine yataghan sword, from the Balkan or other region in the western parts of the Ottoman empire. The 24 ½ inches blade is finely etched in a pattern imitating Damascus steel. It is richly decorated with gold koftgari work in floral pattern and Arabic inscription on both sides. The grips are walrus ivory (left one repaired) with very wide “ears” and gilded silver grip strap and bolsters. The scabbard is wood, covered with leather with the spiral stitching and mounted with finely chased silver mounts. Total length 33 ½ inches. Very good condition. The blade is early, probably late 18 C. Some time in the second half of the 19 C. it was mounted with this handle, the gold work was added and a new scabbard was made for it. All together a fine piece.