The “ regulation Khyber Knife” in the Afghani Army at end of the 19th – beginning of

[ariel]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

....... why were none seen until 1893, and where did the hilts that are seen with the Daoud Shah sword come from?

These are the primary questions in my mind at this point.

Excellent questions, Jim!

I may only put my 5 cents worth.

First, hilts of that construction were used on just garden variety Afghani shamshirs. Here is one, coming from a new Russian books titled " Shamshirs", exact age unknown, but the author attributes it to the second half of the 19th century. I cannot argue: seems plausible.

Second, an Afghan-style sword made in England by Enfield, dated 1857 ( sold by Bonhams). This is already more interesting: did the British produce a prototype for the future Afghani regulation weapons?

http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20066/lot/3079/

And last, British-produced bayonet for the Nepali units, 1876 pattern. Pay attention to the D-guard and to the "shield" extending from the quillon over the ricasso. Doesn't it remind you the "afghani" handle?

Overall, my guess is that the so-called "regulation pattern" handles of some Afghani weapons were created by the British for the native troops. They date from the 1850s and were later copied by the Afghani Mashin Khana (sorry: Kaar Khaana e Jangalak :-))