Description

TURKISH SILVER MOUNTED SHAMSHIR
CIRCA 1800
slab sided rhino horn grip with silver retaining strap (loose) engraved silver quillions with faceted tear drop finials, curved blade (some corrosion) with gold inlay at ricasso with Islamic script, silver mounted black leather scabbard with large silver locket and chape
32 inch (81cm) curved blade
Provenance: Blair, Ayrshire
Note: This sword is by family tradition the sword carried off from the Dey of Algiers' palace by Captain William Fordyce Blair (1805-1888) whilst attached to the French forces during the Invasion of Algiers in 1830.

Footnote

Note: This lot is sold with a letter from AHVLA confirming that it can be legally traded in the UK without any further CITES certification. Please note, however, that there has been a change to the laws regarding the exporting of worked rhino horn items. For more information, please visit the DEFRA website (http://archive.defra.gov.uk/).