Kilij 1074748 225026111 2008-07-11T15:00:39Z 78.184.35.83 /* Etymology */ The '''kilij''' (from [[Turkish language|Turkish]] ''kılıç'', literally "a sword" <ref>Dictionary.com Unabridged - [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/kilij ''kilij entry'']</ref>) is a [[sword]] used by the [[Ottoman Empire]] and [[Turkic peoples|Turks]]. These blades were a distinct variation on the [[dao (sword)|Turko-Mongol saber]]s that had been used over all the lands touched by the empire of the Khans. == History == While Turks were known for their swords with curves, '''kilij''' is estimated to appear around the late 15th century. The oldest surviving examples sport a long blade with a gentle curve slightly more noticeable in the distal half. The width of the blade stays thin (with a slight taper) up until the last 30% of its length, at which point it flares deeper. This distinctive flaring tip is called a "yelman" which greatly adds to the cutting power of the sword. Swords of the next couple of centuries were mainly of the Persian [[shamshir]] variety; Persian blades (that did not have the yelman) were fitted with Ottoman hilts. These hilts normally had slightly larger upper guards, and sported a bobble of an end-grip compared to the parent shamshir. In the mid 18th century the kilij produced looked much more like the original design, though shorter, much more acutely curved, and sporting a deep blade with an even deeper yelman. In addition to the flared tip, these blades have a distinct "T-shaped" cross section to the back of the blade. This allows even greater strength and hence greater ability to cause grievous wounds when cleaving. The flared and 'cut away' profile of these thick blades gave it the archetypal '[[Sindbad the Sailor|Voyages of Sinbad]]' appearance. Some of these shorter Kilij are also referred to as '''pala''' but there does not seem to be a clear cut distinction in naming. [[Image:Kilijdem.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Kilij length and width]] Another interesting anecdote is that this sword forms the basis for the [[Mameluke Sword]] of the [[United States Marine Corps]]. As the [[Mamluk]]s were originally of Turkish descent, the [[Egypt]]ians bore Turkish sabers for hundreds of years. During the [[Napoleonic Wars]], the [[France|French]] conquest of Egypt brought these beautiful and functional swords to the attention of the [[Europe]]ans. In 1831 the "Mamaluke" as the sword was now called even became a regulation pattern for [[United Kingdom|British]] officers. The [[United States of America|American]] victory over the renegade fortress in [[Tripoli]] in 1805 during the [[First Barbary War]], led to the presentation of one of these enjeweled swords to the lead [[United States Marine Corps|Marine]] officer. This has since been a Marine Corps tradition. ==Etymology== '''Kılıç''' actually means [[sword]] in [[Turkish language|Turkish]]. ==See also== *[[Ghilzai]] *[[Scimitar]] *[[Dao (sword)]] (for pre-history) *[[Shamshir]] *[[Saif]] *[[Pulwar]] *[[Tulwar]] ==References== {{reflist}} {{Refimprove|date=October 2007}} [[Category:Middle Eastern swords]] [[Category:Swords]] [[Category:Words of Turkish origin]] [[es:Kiliç]] [[lt:Kiličas]] [[tr:Pala (kılıç)]]