Pesh Kabz to date

ariel · 12th March 2022, 09:49 PM

Pesh Kabzes are single-edged, although rarely they may have partial edge close to the point. Yours is clearly double edged.
Double-Edged Indo-Persian daggers are Khandjars.
Yours has a camel or ox bone handle and big brass bolster. I would guess it is of Afghani or NW Indian origin and dates to the second half of the 19 to early 20 century. Good full example with highly likely original scabbard.

Ian · 13th March 2022, 02:02 PM

Hi Conduit.

I agree with ariel. Not likely to be Persian in origin, and more probably NW Indian. In response to BBJW's suggestion about lotus flowers--they are not lotus flowers depicted on the blade. Similar knives are still being made today in Rajastan.

Oliver Pinchot · 14th March 2022, 08:11 PM

Ariel called it. It's Afghan work, mid-late 20th century.
These were sold to NATO, American and other soldiers as tourist pieces.
Some earlier pieces, c. 1900-mid century, were engraved after the fact.
This is not to say they weren't carried by Afghans and others, I have no
doubt they were. Is it sharp?

Battara · 15th March 2022, 02:12 AM

Thank you Oliver. I was wondering about this being a tourist piece due to the irregular form, the bone quality, and the form of the etchings on the blade, but wasn't sure.

12th March 2022, 09:49 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Pesh Kabzes are single-edged, although rarely they may have partial edge close to the point. Yours is clearly double edged. Double-Edged Indo-Persian daggers are Khandjars. Yours has a camel or ox bone handle and big brass bolster. I would guess it is of Afghani or NW Indian origin and dates to the second half of the 19 to early 20 century. Good full example with highly likely original scabbard. Last edited by ariel; 13th March 2022 at 03:18 AM.

14th March 2022, 08:11 PM	#3
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 462	Ariel called it. It's Afghan work, mid-late 20th century. These were sold to NATO, American and other soldiers as tourist pieces. Some earlier pieces, c. 1900-mid century, were engraved after the fact. This is not to say they weren't carried by Afghans and others, I have no doubt they were. Is it sharp? Last edited by Oliver Pinchot; 14th March 2022 at 09:49 PM.

13th March 2022, 02:02 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Hi Conduit. I agree with ariel. Not likely to be Persian in origin, and more probably NW Indian. In response to BBJW's suggestion about lotus flowers--they are not lotus flowers depicted on the blade. Similar knives are still being made today in Rajastan.

15th March 2022, 02:12 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Thank you Oliver. I was wondering about this being a tourist piece due to the irregular form, the bone quality, and the form of the etchings on the blade, but wasn't sure.