Kilij Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
The kilij (also spelled kilic) is a sword used by the Ottoman Empire starting around the 15th century. More commonly called the Turkish scimitar this blade strongly resembles a shamshir. However, the kilij sports a larger upper gaurd than the shamshir along with a more prominent 'pistol grip' hilt. In addition to being slightly shorter the blade often flares quite large towards the tip, going against the typical tapering curve of the tulwar and shamshir. The widend section of the blade near the tip was often 'cut away' along it's back edge, giving it the archytypical 'Voyages of Sinbad' appearence.Another interesting anecdote, is that this sword is the basis for the Mameluke Sword of the United States Marine Corps. As the Mamelukes were originally of Turkish descent, the Egyptians bore turkish sabers for hundreds of years. During the Napoleonic Wars, the French conquest of Egypt brought these beautiful and functional sword to the attention of the Europeans. In 1831 the "Mamaluke" as the sword was now called even became a regulation pattern for British officers. The American's victory over the renegade fortress in Tripoli in 1805 lead to the presentation of one of these enjewled swords to the lead Marine officer. This has since been a Marine Corps tradition.
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