Afghan Peshkabz

Aurangzeb · 30th June 2005, 04:53 AM

Hello all!

I have finally succeded in buying an Afghan peshkabz

! I was told that it is 19th century. The grip is either ivory or a bone, filled with a red paste design. The blade is sturdy T-section blade and had only some old dry black rust on it which I was able to clean off with ease. It shows only medium amounts of wear. The scabbard is wood, covered with cloth which seems to be coated with a rubbary coating to preserve it. The blade curves up very slightly. This is NOT the piece I had to clean old laquer from. Were these worn tucked in a sash? It has a 9 1/4" blade and a 4 1/2" handle.
On the spine of the dagger is a minarette or mosque shaped dome that is flat.
Overall very sturdy and well built, it is now my favorite dagger in my collection and is my "flagship" dagger.

Last question which is unrelated directly, was Bactria in Afghanistan or Uzbekistan?
Any help would, as always, be most appreciated ! Thank you !

Mark..

Ian · 1st July 2005, 05:26 AM

Aurangzeb:

Bactria (Balkh) is referenced historically as having been part of Afghanistan. There is a map of the old Kashan Empire here, showing the location of Bactria: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kush/hd_kush_d1map.htm

If you would, can you explain the distinction between an Afghan "pesh kabz" and a "choora," and why this knife is a pesh kabz.

With respect to the wearing of an Afghan choora, at least some Afghans use a baldric type of suspension system. There were pictures of this on the old Forum site. The scabbard was similar to the one shown in the old thread, so it may also have been worn in a similar manner.

This is that old thread but the pictures are no longer available: http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000697.html

Ian.

Aurangzeb · 2nd July 2005, 04:30 PM

Hi Ian!

I only came to my conclusion off of the auction told me. Maybe someone on the forum chould clairify for me. Thanks for telling me where Bactira was thats been bugging me.

RobT · 4th July 2005, 06:06 AM

Ian,
I believe the pesh kabz has a fatter grip and as a consequence the hooked pommel is not as pronounced. Stone on pg 494 says pesh kabz means foregrip and shows both straight and recurved pesh kabz blades. I have never seen a recurved choora blade. Stone (pg 338) calls the straight pesh kabz blade a karud. From what I have in my collection, the karud blades vary from looking very much like choora blades to looking like minature Khyber knife blades. I also have a choora hilted piece with a minature Khyber knife style blade. Given this, I wonder if it isn't the hilt that defines the type.
Sincerely,
RobT

Ian · 4th July 2005, 12:16 PM

Thanks Rob.

That makes sense. I have not heard the distinction based on the hilt before -- wonder if others have the same interpretation.

Ian.

Aurangzeb · 5th July 2005, 03:11 AM

Hi all!

After hearing this I whould say that sounds most likely. I never looked at the grip as the defining point before. Instead I spent hours reading and re-reading books and text on te internet as well as studing pictures until 11:00 at night with a head ache!

( my eye docter says I should cut back on my reading! ). Thanks for all the help.

30th June 2005, 04:53 AM	#1
Aurangzeb Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 306	Afghan Peshkabz Hello all! I have finally succeded in buying an Afghan peshkabz ! I was told that it is 19th century. The grip is either ivory or a bone, filled with a red paste design. The blade is sturdy T-section blade and had only some old dry black rust on it which I was able to clean off with ease. It shows only medium amounts of wear. The scabbard is wood, covered with cloth which seems to be coated with a rubbary coating to preserve it. The blade curves up very slightly. This is NOT the piece I had to clean old laquer from. Were these worn tucked in a sash? It has a 9 1/4" blade and a 4 1/2" handle. On the spine of the dagger is a minarette or mosque shaped dome that is flat. Overall very sturdy and well built, it is now my favorite dagger in my collection and is my "flagship" dagger. Last question which is unrelated directly, was Bactria in Afghanistan or Uzbekistan? Any help would, as always, be most appreciated ! Thank you ! Mark.. Attached Images

4th July 2005, 06:06 AM	#4
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 487	Choora vs Pesh Kabz Ian, I believe the pesh kabz has a fatter grip and as a consequence the hooked pommel is not as pronounced. Stone on pg 494 says pesh kabz means foregrip and shows both straight and recurved pesh kabz blades. I have never seen a recurved choora blade. Stone (pg 338) calls the straight pesh kabz blade a karud. From what I have in my collection, the karud blades vary from looking very much like choora blades to looking like minature Khyber knife blades. I also have a choora hilted piece with a minature Khyber knife style blade. Given this, I wonder if it isn't the hilt that defines the type. Sincerely, RobT

1st July 2005, 05:26 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,197	Aurangzeb: Bactria (Balkh) is referenced historically as having been part of Afghanistan. There is a map of the old Kashan Empire here, showing the location of Bactria: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kush/hd_kush_d1map.htm If you would, can you explain the distinction between an Afghan "pesh kabz" and a "choora," and why this knife is a pesh kabz. With respect to the wearing of an Afghan choora, at least some Afghans use a baldric type of suspension system. There were pictures of this on the old Forum site. The scabbard was similar to the one shown in the old thread, so it may also have been worn in a similar manner. This is that old thread but the pictures are no longer available: http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000697.html Ian.

2nd July 2005, 04:30 PM	#3
Aurangzeb Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 306	Hi Ian! I only came to my conclusion off of the auction told me. Maybe someone on the forum chould clairify for me. Thanks for telling me where Bactira was thats been bugging me.

4th July 2005, 12:16 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,197	Thanks Rob. That makes sense. I have not heard the distinction based on the hilt before -- wonder if others have the same interpretation. Ian.

5th July 2005, 03:11 AM	#6
Aurangzeb Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 306	Hi all! After hearing this I whould say that sounds most likely. I never looked at the grip as the defining point before. Instead I spent hours reading and re-reading books and text on te internet as well as studing pictures until 11:00 at night with a head ache! ( my eye docter says I should cut back on my reading! ). Thanks for all the help.