As a number of fictional and supposedly historical books have come out in recent years about the Crusades, and the fact that this is the timeline I'm most interested in at the moment, I would like to know if anyone has any historically accurate descriptions of the weapons used by the Muslim/Saracen nations during the years from 1095-1291. Did they use pole arms, blunts, axes, and what style of bows? What type of swords did they use? Straight blade, curved blade, single-edged, etc? I know the term "scimitar" is a Victorian Anglo term for a curved blade used in the Mid-East, but my understanding is those blades didn't come about until the 17th-18th century (not sure of exact time). Any help would be appreciated, especially if it can be backed up with historical references. Something other than the typical Osprey books. I have those. Yes, a part of this is not only for my own edification, but also because I am in contact with a writer who has written a couple of best sellers on the subject and we are wanting to settle a "disagreement." ;)

Thanks!

-Greg

Hi,

Check out this thread on another forum which I contributed to a while back:
http://forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?t=54732

Mind you it was so long ago and some of the pictures have disappeared.

There are quite a few books out there too. Check my reading list. One book that isn't in my reading list, and that is quite pricey and hard to find is Unsal Yucel's "Islamic swords and Swordmiths", which has black and white photos and descriptions of some very early Islamic swords which are now in the Topkapi Museum in Istanbul.

These threads refer mainly to armour and weapons of the 15th-17th centuries, but there is still some useful info there:
http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=4427
http://forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?t=77206
http://forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?t=71813
http://forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?t=72695

Hisham

Hisham,
Thank you for the links. The SFI discussion has enough pictures left to give a good impression. Interesting that the blades were straight but a lot of hilts had some curve. Was a little surprised that there were some curved sabres, but then again the poster mentions that they were not in wide use until much later. Take care, good Sir.

-Greg