Historic Saudi sabre sells for $1 m

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by AJ1356

Salaams Ibrahiim, If you look at the picture, it clearly shows an Afghan dignitary setting next to the Saudi King, and at the end of the caption it says 1932. The text is partly blocked by the sword. What I am saying is it might have been presented to the guy in the picture, not to prince Ahamd Shah.

Fun fact I went to the same school as Ahmad Shah, except I did not get thrown out of school, like he did. {apparently he kept failing} What a douche.

Salaams yes I saw that it is in two languages French and English...It refers to the date 1932... The birthdate of the Saudia Arabia formation. Not to the presentation date perhaps ~ but I am searching to find a picture of Ahmad Shah. Funny they chucked him out of school ! Anyway they posted him off to Oxford university later...I wonder if this is his brother in the picture?...checking...no its not him; Muhammed Akbar Khan was only a year older than him and died when only 9 years old... perhaps then it is the old king himself ? Anyway here is a picture of Ahmad Shah.

The sword looks like a Straight Street Damascus job... or could quite easily be a Saudia production. I have one like it worth a whole lot less!! but the price on your presentation subject is entirely ruled by the ruler giving it away in the picture.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[AJ1356]

I showed the pic to some old dudes, and they were like from the hat it seems to be before Zaher Shah's time, since people did not wear those kinds of hat during his time. They said it could be one of his in-laws.
As far as the saber itself, it is a re-hilted Safavid blade.

[ALEX]

for those who're interested in associated history, here's more info and some documents that were part of the lot

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by AJ1356

I showed the pic to some old dudes, and they were like from the hat it seems to be before Zaher Shah's time, since people did not wear those kinds of hat during his time. They said it could be one of his in-laws.
As far as the saber itself, it is a re-hilted Safavid blade.

That is interesting ... are you dating the blade as Safavid by the cartouche?
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[ALEX]

the blade, and cartouches, are much later, likely 19th C. The later fittings are likely 20th C as Richard commented. The rehilting could have been done anywhere, Damascus or SA. Here's similar Arabian saif.