Ottoman Turkish Swords

The Turks who migrated from Asia to Eurasia and Anatolia have deeply influenced the sword shapes of the Middle East with the swords they brought with them. Later on, with the rise of the Ottoman Empire, it also influenced Europe as the Ottoman Sword.

It was precisely these swords that strengthened the power of the Turks, helped the Ottoman emperor become the world’s emperor, and reached places where no one could dream.

Kilij

Kilij, one of the most characteristic Turkish swords, dates back to the Asian Huns. The most important feature of this sword is the bending and lapping in the middle (the name given to the sharp area on both sides of the end of the sword) is very sharp impact and cutting power. It is one of the rare swords that can compete with Katana in sharpness. It is known that it is known to divide the enemy into two in one move.

Heavy Kilij

The weight of this sword, which is found by Turkic tribes in Central Asia, is quite heavy. Its weight as well as its lethality is legendary, so it is a mixture of swords and axes. This sword, which is very scary in appearance, has also found its role in 300 Sparta films, but it belongs to the Turks before the Spartans. People who know and use the sword closely can even split the bullet.

The Yatagan sword

Yatağan was widely used in the Ottoman period from the 16th century to the 19th century; is a famous and effective sword. It is also known as the Turkish Sword among foreigners and Kulakli among the people. The center of gravity of the sword, the angle known as the Turkish curve in making swords, and the ideal strokes are difficult to use because they differ from other swords. The reason for this difference in form is to swing the enemy’s sword strokes more easily. But the destruction and chiseling power of a good user is much higher than that of contemporary swords. Although the motives and writings in Yatağan are sometimes a poem and sometimes a concise word, mostly the verses, the name of the owner of the sword, the prayers and the seal of the master making the sword are seen.

Gaddare

This form, which is slightly shorter than the sword in form, is known for being extremely sharp. Gaddare, known to be controlled by two wires for being too heavy, was used by turning overhead to split the enemy façade of spear soldiers. During the walk, Gaddare was carried diagonally on the shoulder or back with the pointed end pointing to the air.

Shamshir Sword

The origin of this curved sword dates back to the 9th century and Central Asia. Şemşir, which means Persian sword, is attached horizontally to the waist unlike other swords. Typically, the curve is tapered and tapered towards the tip. The side view is reminiscent of the curvature of the lion’s tail. This sword focuses on cutting, spreading the impact energy to the blade. For this reason, it was used as a defense weapon rather than an attack.

Karabela Sword

This Ottoman sword was used by janissaries and sipahilis. The most distinctive feature of Karabela is the eagle head of the stem.
It is not. It was adopted by the Europeans due to the ease of use, lightness and military admiration of the Turks with the Ottoman expeditions. Turks used it in the 17th and 18th centuries; In the following centuries Polons became their official sword form, in vogue by the Poles.

Dımışki Damascus Sword

The name of the sword comes from Damaskus (Damascus), which is one of the most robust steels in the world. According to legends, it can divide the opponent’s sword and shield, or even a silk handkerchief left on the sword, in one stroke. Damshki swords owe much of their fame to the Crusades. When the knights who faced these swords during their expeditions to the Middle East returned to their countries, the stories they told in time made Dimişki swords a legend in Europe.

Dagger

In the war, the ancient Turks struck the enemy in a hand-to-hand combat with a dagger. The cutter body is sometimes a single, but usually a double-edged cutter weapon. It has wide grooves as it is both a cutter and a close combat weapon. The Turkish daggers carried by attaching to the belt are approximately 35-40 cm. Long. The cutter body made of steel is decorated with gold or silver inlay inscriptions, floral motifs, felicity knot or motifs such as Mühr-ü Süleyman. The handles are bone, ivory, silver or gold plated. They are carried on wood in velvet, leather, silver or gold plated scabbard.

Memluk sword

This sword with little curvature was derived from the Mamluks who ruled Egypt at the time. It is one of the oldest sword designs of Turkish-Islamic culture. It is thin, long, light and curved outwards. It was presented to the Americans by Karamanlı Hamit Bey in the 19th century; Since then, it has been carried by the US naval officers as a ceremony sword. (cutting format)

PALA – OTTOMAN KILIJ SWORD

Yatağan is mostly used for janissaries; machete was used by naval soldiers and cavalry. Scimitar, flat; width slightly increased towards the tip and so it would appear to be slightly curved forward. It was used as a close combat weapon because it was short and wide.

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