This Mameluke sabre dates to the reign of King George III (1760-1820) and has an Indian wootz (crucible) steel “trophy” blade. The use of Mameluke sabres by British officers became popular in the late 18th Century after the defeat of the Tipu Sultan in 1799. Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington fought in the campaign against the Tipu sultan and was a proponent of the efficacy of Mameluke sabres.
Indian wootz steel is high in carbon as a result of first removing the impurities in the heated metal by repeatedly hammering out, folding and re-hammering the raw iron. Carbon is then added by re-heating the iron in a crucible with wood chips. At an extremely high temperature, the metal absorbs the carbon from the burnt wood. The resulting high carbon steel is then forged into billets that have a fine-grained appearance. These billets can then be forged into blades of superior quality that hold a fine edge.
The grain pattern within the steel is a result of repeated folding and hammering of the heated metal to uniformly distribute the carbon throughout the steel. Its aesthetically pleasing grain is a byproduct, and not the main intention as is seen in modern forged, highly decorative blades.
The 740mm curved blade has a flat spine and terminates in a hatchet point. The blade is un-fullered and single edged. The edge remains very sharp and has four small use-related nicks. The grain of the steel is faint and more visible in some areas than others. The blade is in very good condition and is free from rust and tarnish.
The ivory hilt is engraved with chevrons and a fan-like centre piece. The ivory grip scales are held firmly in place by rivets with decorative domed caps. One cap is missing. The ivory is in good condition with only a small crack on the left-hand scale. The langueted steel cross-guard is in good condition and free from rust. There is some small movement of the blade in the hilt, something that is common with antique Mameluke sabres.
The sabre is complete with its steel scabbard with twin suspension rings. The scabbard is in very good condition and is free from rust and damage. The sword sheaths and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is an excellent example of an early 19th Century fighting Mameluke sabre. The sword would have been carried by an officer either serving in or recently returned from India.
UK ivory submission #CCLKPVEJ
£1,250.00
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