Up for sale is this fine Turkish military saber used by commanders of Ertugrul Alaylari, special forces unit of the Ottoman military forces, mid to late 19 C. Very good wootz (Damascus, Watered) steel blade , 33 inches long decorated with gold koftgari inscriptions in Arabic letters. Rhino horn grips with silver grip strap. White metal cross guard. The wood scabbard is covered with black leather with spiral stitching and fitted with long silver locket and belt rings and steel chape. Total length 39 inches. Very good condition. Blackened areas and minor pitted spots on the blade. Repairs to the scabbard leather and to the spiral stitching. Very impressive sword.
The inscription says: Help from Allah is near, give glad-tidings to the Believers. The second line reads: There is no stronger young man other than Ali, and no better sword than Zulfikar. (Thanks to Mr. Ilhan for the translation)