A “Timurid” Saber from Samarkand

A rare 'Timurid' saber, discovered in Samarkand in 1969 and currently held in a private collection, provides valuable insights into the arms used by warriors of Mā warāʼ an-Nahr during the late Middle Ages or early modern times. The saber, featuring a welded bulat blade and ornate bronze hilt adorned with a 'Timur’s tamga' (three circles grouped as a triangle), likely dates to between the 15th and 17th centuries. Its design suggests possible South-Asian influence, contributing to our understanding of cultural exchange in Central Asia during this period. The study analyzes its features and compares it to known examples to determine its origin and historical significance.

Bobrov, L. A., & Khaidakov, K. S. (2019). A “Timurid” Saber from Samarkand. Vestnik NSU. Series: History and Philology, 18(5), 125–145. https://doi.org/10.25205/1818-7919-2019-18-5-125-145