Kirk Laddered Kard
 

Hi, Any info or comments on this one? I was afraid that it might have been a recent manufacture but it appears to be older. Shagreen leather scabbard is surely old. I'm guessing that script is incorporated into the shields. Can anyone make out what they say?
Thank you,
Steve

Oh, How common are laddered wootz blades? I know from recent posts that zigzag and x patterns are very rare.

Very nice and definitely not a newly-made one.
The handle is unusually thick, almost karud-like. Central Asia?

Large handles
 

Ariel, I think that the large grips were to protect the koftgari designs between the hilt slabs. Only a fine lines remain, if at all on this one. So this one may have had slabs changed at some time. The only other rational for the large grips as with the bali keris hilts for show at court.

Regards,
Steve

Ariel is right, bigger grips = Central Asia. Those guys were and are physically larger than most and larger grips give a better grip for a downward thrust.

You guys have any similar examples with grips like this? Screams composite to me, maybe old composite, but nonetheless-

The grip-to-ricasso area just looks silly and I've got to think those thick grips are impractical. Horn looks to have age though, lovely blade....

The grips are not unusual. Here're similarly shaped: http://www.oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=274
Agree with Ariel and Ward - Central Asian, perhaps Buharan or other ...stan countries. I have very similar dagger with large horn grips, and the hold is quite comfortable even for my small hands:-).
The blade is very nice indeed, Steve. The ladder pattern is rare on daggers, and yours is of good quality. My guess would be that the blade is older than the rest, and the chiseling is fairly recent, and not contemporary with the blade. Here is example of 18th century Persian chiseling, note the difference in quality.

Followup
 

Thank you all for your insights and information. Alex your calligraphy flows and the difference is evident. Also the gold work on example look like inlays vs. Koftgari. Would you say the differences are do to eras or regional workmanship?
The photo showing cartouches was the second I've seen.

When I first saw this one I thought it very recent. Fervent searching Artzis' site,
help Me make up my mind to bid along with the sellers comment that the blade was damascus. Really glad I did now.
Thanks,
Steve

Very good, Steve - you are right - it is True inlay, not koftgari.
I think the regional workmanship is not a true measure of quality. "Indo-Persia" covered such a vast region and the remarkable examples are seen throughout Buhara to India. But it is much harder to find bad quality chiselling on 17/18 Century items than on 19/20 Century ones:-) Generally speaking, less quality and cruder work is expected on relatively recent items, especially when it comes to Koranic scripts!
Very nice daggers you've shown.