A Lovely Old Khyber Knife/Salawar Yataghan...but where from???

CharlesS · 28th July 2011, 04:27 PM

I was fortunate enough to just pick up this example of what we generally call a "Khyber Knife", but also known as a Salawar yataghan. I have known of its existence for some time and have always been curious about some of its unique features, such as the extraordinary quality of the wootz and koftgari. Also note the slightly upturned tip and reinforced edge. This is certainly better than normal quality and makes me wonder if it is, indeed, Afghan?? The wootz certainly speaks to Persian quality. I think there could also be an argument made for North Indian origins. The hilt scales are dark horn with a slightly greenish tint. The scabbard here is a replacement and has been done in a traditionally Afghan style.

I welcome and would enjoy any input. Thanks in advance!

AJ1356 · 28th July 2011, 05:03 PM

That is one beautiful Seylaawa (that is what we call them). The hilt does not follow the normal hilt style of a seylaawa, the blade follows the norm all the way to the tip and then it becomes a bit unortodox. The wootz pattern is great and the gold inlaid kandankaari seems to be Kabuli. The hilt design looks suspeciously Bukharan, and the quality of work IMHO moves it far away from Khayber area and closer to Kabul. I'd say mostlikely it was made in Kabul by a migerant smith from North of Amu River.

Lew · 28th July 2011, 06:08 PM

Charles

That is a real gem Congrats. (Drooling)

CharlesS · 28th July 2011, 07:22 PM

Thanks for the input. I had a discussion with another member (Rsword) about it and we had discussed its central Asian possibilities, even Bukhara, so really nice to get even more of the same thoughts...

Jim McDougall · 28th July 2011, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJ1356

That is one beautiful Seylaawa (that is what we call them). The hilt does not follow the normal hilt style of a seylaawa, the blade follows the norm all the way to the tip and then it becomes a bit unortodox. The wootz pattern is great and the gold inlaid kandankaari seems to be Kabuli. The hilt design looks suspeciously Bukharan, and the quality of work IMHO moves it far away from Khayber area and closer to Kabul. I'd say mostlikely it was made in Kabul by a migerant smith from North of Amu River.

Excellent assessment AJ!! and I am inclined to go with what you're saying.
The spines on the back of the blade remind me of shamshirs I have seen from Turkmenistan, and the Persian influence goes hand in hand with Bukhara. Gorgeous wootz!!!

All best,
Jim

AJ1356 · 29th July 2011, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Excellent assessment AJ!! and I am inclined to go with what you're saying.
The spines on the back of the blade remind me of shamshirs I have seen from Turkmenistan, and the Persian influence goes hand in hand with Bukhara. Gorgeous wootz!!!

All best,
Jim

I was thinking the same of the ribbed spine, with the Persian influence. You see that in the higher qaulity shamshirs here the style wrongly called palowars.

Jim McDougall · 29th July 2011, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJ1356

I was thinking the same of the ribbed spine, with the Persian influence. You see that in the higher qaulity shamshirs here the style wrongly called palowars.

AJ, I'm curious where 'here' is

as it is interesting to see the perspective on these terms. Naturally very curious about 'paluoar' and exactly which sword referred to, the cup shaped pommel and downturned quillons?

AJ1356 · 29th July 2011, 04:44 AM

I should have been more clear, here is Afghanistan, and that is correct the cup shaped pommel and the downward quillion (that style is actually known here as a Shmashir e Safawi) . One of these days I'll do a post and try to show the actual locals names.

Nathaniel · 29th July 2011, 06:32 AM

Wow, another stunning piece from Charle's time machine collection trips! Beautiful!

Gavin Nugent · 29th July 2011, 07:39 AM

A great looker Charles, in with the new, out with the old.

My thoughts on origins do differ though.

To my eye there are many Turkish/Ottoman aspects to the designs, shapes of parts and fullers on the spine...many similarities to a number of Yataghans found too...

Gav

CharlesS · 2nd August 2011, 04:52 PM

Thanks for your insights and comments guys!

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 18th September 2011, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJ1356

That is one beautiful Seylaawa (that is what we call them). The hilt does not follow the normal hilt style of a seylaawa, the blade follows the norm all the way to the tip and then it becomes a bit unortodox. The wootz pattern is great and the gold inlaid kandankaari seems to be Kabuli. The hilt design looks suspeciously Bukharan, and the quality of work IMHO moves it far away from Khayber area and closer to Kabul. I'd say mostlikely it was made in Kabul by a migerant smith from North of Amu River.

Salaams, If you give send an e mail as I think I know the koftgari workshop this came out of ...in Kabul. I was there earlier in the year and discovered it. Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

28th July 2011, 04:27 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	A Lovely Old Khyber Knife/Salawar Yataghan...but where from??? I was fortunate enough to just pick up this example of what we generally call a "Khyber Knife", but also known as a Salawar yataghan. I have known of its existence for some time and have always been curious about some of its unique features, such as the extraordinary quality of the wootz and koftgari. Also note the slightly upturned tip and reinforced edge. This is certainly better than normal quality and makes me wonder if it is, indeed, Afghan?? The wootz certainly speaks to Persian quality. I think there could also be an argument made for North Indian origins. The hilt scales are dark horn with a slightly greenish tint. The scabbard here is a replacement and has been done in a traditionally Afghan style. I welcome and would enjoy any input. Thanks in advance! Attached Images

29th July 2011, 07:39 AM	#10
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Great piece A great looker Charles, in with the new, out with the old. My thoughts on origins do differ though. To my eye there are many Turkish/Ottoman aspects to the designs, shapes of parts and fullers on the spine...many similarities to a number of Yataghans found too... Gav

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28th July 2011, 05:03 PM	#2
AJ1356 Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Nashville Posts: 317	That is one beautiful Seylaawa (that is what we call them). The hilt does not follow the normal hilt style of a seylaawa, the blade follows the norm all the way to the tip and then it becomes a bit unortodox. The wootz pattern is great and the gold inlaid kandankaari seems to be Kabuli. The hilt design looks suspeciously Bukharan, and the quality of work IMHO moves it far away from Khayber area and closer to Kabul. I'd say mostlikely it was made in Kabul by a migerant smith from North of Amu River.

28th July 2011, 06:08 PM	#3
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Charles That is a real gem Congrats. (Drooling)

28th July 2011, 07:22 PM	#4
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Thanks for the input. I had a discussion with another member (Rsword) about it and we had discussed its central Asian possibilities, even Bukhara, so really nice to get even more of the same thoughts...

29th July 2011, 04:44 AM	#8
AJ1356 Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Nashville Posts: 317	I should have been more clear, here is Afghanistan, and that is correct the cup shaped pommel and the downward quillion (that style is actually known here as a Shmashir e Safawi) . One of these days I'll do a post and try to show the actual locals names.

29th July 2011, 06:32 AM	#9
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Wow, another stunning piece from Charle's time machine collection trips! Beautiful!

2nd August 2011, 04:52 PM	#11
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Thanks for your insights and comments guys!