The special feature of Old Weapons lies in their uniqueness, with each piece standing as a work of art crafted by various artisans involved in its production. The intricate details in the mechanisms and final decorations reflect the significant effort and time invested, revealing much about the weapon's owner through the motifs and methods of decoration. The collection of old weapons showcases not only their deadly utility in power contests but also their role as status symbols and expressions of artistic craftsmanship. These weapons serve as valuable material sources for historical research, offering insights into the cultural and social contexts of their time.
The Museum of Sarajevo's museum houses over two hundred pieces of old weapons and related military equipment, with particularly impressive examples of yataghans, sabres, and flintlocks.
The yataghan (from Turkish yatağan), is a type of Turkish sword used in the Ottoman army from the mid-16th to the late 19th century. However, new research suggests that yataghan-like blades were in use as early as before the 12th century. The curved blades and "eared" handles can be traced back to Central Asia, where similar bronze blades have been found at several archaeological sites. There are several theories regarding the etymology of "yataghan": One state that the word might derive from the Uzbek tribes of Kataghan. Second theory relates to the fact that the term "yatağan" translates to "lying down," referring to the way the blade is carried, while the third theory is that it could be named after the city of Yatağan in south-western Turkey, where such swords were initially produced.
Over time, the yataghan became a symbol of the Orient. During the Ottoman period, yataghans were produced in major cities across the Ottoman Empire, including Istanbul, Bursa, and Filibe. In Balkans, cities such as Travnik, Foča, Sarajevo, Prijedor, Kotor, Risno, Užice, Prizren, Skopje, and Shkodër were known as places where yataghans were made. Due to its favourable characteristics, the yataghan inspired the design of the bayonet, which became an integral part of military rifles in European armies by the mid-19th century.
The most expensive and highest quality flintlocks are made of silver, richly decorated, and worn during both battles and ceremonies. In the Museum of Sarajevo's collection, each exhibit holds significant artistic value in addition to its historical importance.
A significant portion of the Collection of Old Weapons comprises material found during archaeological research at the Bijela Tabija/White Fortress site in Sarajevo. These artefacts primarily date back to the Ottoman administration in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The collection includes over two tons of cannonballs of various calibres, old hand grenades (kumbars), gunpowder and ammunition for cannon projectiles, firearm mechanisms (mostly Ottoman rifles), and parts of auxiliary accessories and military equipment from the same period.
