A very fine Shamshir from Syria. The blade is forged from wootz (Damascus, watered steel), marked and signed with the maker sign and decorated with gold inlay work. It is 32 inches long, curved and single edged, most probably of Persian origin. The cross guard is steel. The ‘Syrian’ attribution comes mainly from the shape of the hilt. 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 steel wire. The pommel is steel and it is sharply down curving (very typical Arab style). Wood scabbard covered with tooled black leather , pierced steel belt fittings and chased silver tip. Total length 38 inches. Very good condition. Minor edge nicks and blackened spots on the blade. Cracked pommel cover.