Quote:
Originally Posted by Sakalord364
So I suppose that in comparing Afghans with, say, Scottish Highlanders we can see possibly some similarities in the origin of the weapons they had:
Highlander:
Basket hilted broadsword (originated outside Scotland)
Highland Dirk (indigenous Design)
Afghan:
Pulwar (possibly originated outside Afghanistan)
Khyber Knife (indigenous Design)
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I like this line of thinking!
and this is exactly the kind of rationale that is so important and fascinating in studying the evolution of edged weapon forms.
The basket hilt itself evolved from these type hilts in the groups of swords often referred to as 'Sinclair sabers' and have a traditional connection to Scottish mercenaries on campaigns in Norway in 1612. These type swords were actually the 'dusagge' which were well known across Central Europe in these times and into the next century.
Actually the 'basket hilt' form was well known in England in the early 16th century . There were examples found on the wreck of the Mary Rose in England (1545) and that of the Sea Venture in 1609 off Bermuda.
The Scots simply adopted the hilt form and embellished with their own styling and elements in the 17th century, which in turn evolved into the distinct form we know as the Highland basket hilt. In these times these were typically referred to as 'Irish' hilts with that term collectively used for Scots and Irish.
The Highland Dirk, again evolved from the 'bollock dagger' in use from Scandinavia and British Isles 13th-18th centuries, also known as 'kidney dagger' and 'dudgeon dagger' by 16th-17th c.
Again by the 18th century these became styled into the Highland dirk, using traditional styling elements, and often used broken repurposed blades from the swords as well of course as later using specifically made ones.
It was during Victorian times and their fascination with Scottish tradition and character that many of the sometimes fanciful notions became popular.
Here can be seen how forms and styling from far broader scope can often evolve locally into distinct versions that become recognizable and peculiar to certain regions and countries.
In Afghanistan, the paluoar as previously noted was loosely based in its hilt form on earlier Persian and Ottoman hilt styles probably some time in the early 17th century or later. There were always highly symbolic and iconic elements in the styling in these Islamic hilts, and these often were brought forward recalling much earlier styles. The downturned quillons with often highly stylized 'dragons' are such a key element. The cupped pommel also has such significance.
As these became popularized in form in Afghanistan regions (as mentioned not known as a single country but singular emirates and principalities not recognized as 'Afghanistan' until 1920s). Still tribal groupings had no such boundaries and the style remained popular well into 19th c.
So again the 'form' originated in a broader scope in the Islamic sphere which cannot be specified geographically, but evolved stylistically into the swords we know as paluoar.
The 'Khyber knife' as noted evolved locally into the very large versions of the pesh kabz, the Persian dagger whose variations are often called by different names typically classified by collectors in modern times. The British often referred to many of these weapons collectively as 'Khyber knives' in the mid 19th c. but the term became more specifically applied to these large types which most closely resemble the large dagger known as 'karud' . This term is corrupted from the Persian 'dari kard' (the kard is a Persian dagger).
So again, forms from broader spectrum of weapon styling which became localized through elements and character in hilt design. This is of course typical in sword forms as blades were a widely traded commodity and were characteristically mounted in preferred local hilt forms.
It is difficult to declare most edged weapon hilt forms indigenous in my opinion due to these typical influences from many external sources in most cases. However in their character these hilt forms often became popularized as well as often the weapon form overall, in certain national character.
Naturally these observations are simply my own opinions from the time I have studied and collected these forms, and as always I welcome those of others. We are ALWAYS learning and especially in sharing information here.
Again, I very much like your approach to studying these weapon forms and hope my observations might be useful.
Best regards
Jim