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The shamshir sword is a Persian curved blade that spread throughout Asia, becoming part of the scimitar family. It was initially used for hunting and later adopted for military use. The hilt and crossguard are simple, and it was worn horizontally.
A shamshir sword is a bladed weapon of Persian origin. This basic design spread from Persia throughout Asia, and many Southeast Asian nations developed their own versions of this blade, creating a family of similar weapons known collectively as scimitars. Some very fine examples of shamshir can be seen on display in museums dedicated to the history of weapons and swords, for those interested in historical weapons, and it is also possible to find both ornamental and functional replicas for sale.
As its belonging to the scimitar family would suggest, the shamshir sword has a curved blade. Classically, the blade is relatively straight and even when protruding from the hilt, developing a pronounced curve around the middle of the blade. The point of the blade is tapered, making it an excellent thrusting and cutting weapon, and the sword’s balance usually falls right around the apex of the curve.
These swords appear to have been developed initially for the purpose of hunting, as depictions of early shamshir in action would seem to indicate. The combination of a straight and curved blade would have made hunting on horseback easier, allowing riders great control and precision. Eventually, the blade was adopted for military use as well, which allowed the curved design to spread as the Persians encountered rival armies. Many people associate the curved blade design with the Middle East, as this is where the shamshir sword comes from, but some very interesting versions can be found in places like India and the Philippines.
The hilt and crossguard of a classic shamshir sword are usually quite simple. Bronze was a commonly used material for the crossguard in ancient times, while the hilt was made of bone, horn or wood. The pommel of the blade is commonly offset to compensate for the curvature of the blade and make the sword more comfortable to hold. As with other artifacts from Islamic cultures, the hilts and blades of ancient shamshirs often have verses from the Quran or other religious ornaments.
Rather than being worn vertically, as is the case with most straight swords, the shamshir sword was worn horizontally, classically on the left side and often above the waist. The horizontal design made it easier to remove the sword from the scabbard, allowing people quick access to their swords when needed. The narrow blade is extremely light making the style easy to wear and also very sharp allowing the user to deliver a variety of thrusts, stabs and slashing strokes with the blade.
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