Osman Gazi's helmet discovered in the USA

Responding to questions from journalist İbrahim Öge, Hakan Yılmaz stated that this rare artifact, which bears a tughra belonging to Osman Gazi and a flawless Kayı tamga, puts an end to all virtual debates regarding the founding leader's ethnic origin, independent sultanate status, and leadership beyond the beyliks. Yılmaz said:

"This helmet not only confirms that Osman Bey was a 'Sultan' who established an independent state, but it also puts an end to the long-debated discussions regarding his ethnic origin and tribal status."

Hakan Yılmaz further explained that the main silver-inlaid Arabic inscription on the helmet identifies Osman Gazi with the titles "Sultânü'l-a‘zam" (Great Sultan) and "Hânü'l-mu‘azzam" (Grand Khan), while the medallion on the back features the phrase "Nâsırü'd-dîn ‘Osmân Sultân." He stated that these titles completely refute fictional academic claims that Osman Gazi was not an independent sultan.

Yılmaz continued: "As is known, old historical archival documents were previously kept inside the warehouses and outbuildings of Hagia Sophia, while ancient military items, weapons, and armor were stored in the cellar of Hagia Irene, which was used as an armory. This practice, which began after the conquest of Istanbul, continued for nearly four hundred years until the death of Mahmud II. The helmets and armor sets of Osman Gazi and the next two sultans, which I have seen in European museums or in the hands of private collectors, passed from one collector to another for several generations after being sold or acquired. Ultimately, some of these were transferred to museums, while others remained in the hands of a few famous collectors. Osman Gazi's helmet, which was last included in George Cameron Stone's collection, was finally donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art by his heirs after his death in 1935, in accordance with his will."

Murad Hüdavendigâr's helmet

Answering the question of why the helmet had not been noticed until now, Hakan Yılmaz pointed to obvious errors in a study conducted 11 years ago by David G. Alexander, an expert in this field. He noted that although Alexander described the physical characteristics of the helmet well in the museum catalog, he skipped parts of the inscription text and was unable to read the final section where the name "Osman" appears.

Yılmaz continued: "Besides Osman Gazi's helmet, there is another helmet I encountered at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that is the same size as his and whose design is very similar to Orhan Gazi's helmet in the Military Museum. It is immediately understood from its main inscription that this helmet belongs to Murad Hüdâvendigâr. Furthermore, a helmet that was auctioned at Sotheby's a few years ago, which came from the collection of Philippe Missillier, can also be identified as another helmet belonging to Orhan due to the similarity of its layout and the expressions in its inscription. Apart from these, another helmet whose design is similar to Osman Han's helmet and which is understood from the expressions in its inscription to belong to the early founding times is in the collection of the Walters Art Museum, and another helmet with a different body design and the letter 'Ayin' on the front is also in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. However, my analysis work on these helmets is still ongoing. Each of them has a Kayı tamga with the exact same design in the same place on the front."

"The helmet should be brought to Turkey"

Calling on the authorities, Hakan Yılmaz emphasized that bureaucratic steps should be taken rapidly to bring the coin in Qatar, the genealogy in Paris, and the helmet in New York to Turkey immediately. Yılmaz said, "The helmet, in particular, could be displayed in a separate glass case at Topkapı Palace alongside the sword that is a relic from Uthman ibn Affan, or it could be exhibited in the Military Museum together with his son Orhan's helmet. Or, a new museum could be created for all of these in the ancient capital of Bursa. These should now stand before the eyes of the Turkish people as they should, and they should be able to identify this ancient historical heritage belonging to their past in person."