A fine Mamluk steel sword, Egypt or Syria, 13th-15th century

the straight double-edged watered steel blade, the hexagonal hilt with rounded pommel, diamond-shaped reserve in the centre fixed with a wrist strap ring and pierced quillon tips 

overall in good condition. the blade suffers from patination and some minor dents. the diamond-shaped reserve in the centre of the grip has some damage to it but the hilt is generally in a good condition considering the age, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The early swords of the Islamic period were straight and double sided and very few of these swords still survive. Some swords, two belonging to the Prophet, and others said to belong to the early Caliphs and Companions, taken as booty from the Mamluks by the Ottomans after the battle of 1517, survive in the Has Oda of the Topkapi Saray and are known as the 'Blessed Swords' or Suyuf al Mubarake.

In the Askeri Museum (See Yucel 2001, pl.80-83), we find similar examples to our sword with resembling mounts and blades and although they are identified as Mamluk and dated to the fourteenth century, they must have derived from the Ayyubid style of the Saif Badawi or the 'Bedouin Sword'. 

Other swords belonging to the Mamluks, and early Ottoman Emirs and Sultans are dispersed between the Topkapi Saray and the Askeri Museum in Istanbul, including one belonging to Najm al Din Ayyub, the father of Saladin, the conqueror of Jerusalem from the Crusaders. This sword of the twelfth century made by Salim bin Ali for Najm al Din, has a quillon, whose socket and guard is akin to that of our sword (ibid, p.77, pl.34). A more closely related quillon can be found on a blade with Abbasid or Umayyad provenance (ibid, p.76, pl.33). For two other examples of resembling pommels and quillons found on fourteenth-century blades and identified as Mamluk see Mohamed 2007, p.112, nos.11-12.

The early Mamluk sultans were Turks from the Kipchak territories and generally preferred the use of the sabre, a slightly curved slashing weapon, more suitable for mounting warfare than the Saif Badawi. There is evidence that Mamluks carried and used both types; however the Saif Badawi was reserved to be used for investiture and enthronment ceremonies of the Emir in honour of The Prophet, who had several straight named blades (See Elgood 1979, p.203).

This Arab tradition of the Saif Badawi was continued in Saudi Arabia, Zanzibar and Oman until the ninteenth century. An Omani example is included in this sale as lot 151 (see also Mohamed 2007, p.79, cat.43).