Afghan Pesh Kabz for comment

Bob A · 29th May 2023, 12:00 AM

I picked this up in Timonium this spring; seller was adamant that it was 18th century, though I don't know on what he based his attribution. The niello work on the sheath is obviously a later addition. I've included a close-up pf the sheath, to show that under its leather, there's a double loop of red twine; under the niello, there's evidence of a bit of copper wire, probably a repair.

The scales are wood, which seem to have been painted black.

I'd be glad to include more pictures of similarly poor quality if anyone thinks it would be of use.

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Rick · 29th May 2023, 12:07 AM

Can you show us a picture of the knife in its scabbard Bob. Idle curiosity I guess, but it's another bit of information that might help.

Bob A · 29th May 2023, 05:22 AM

Sure, when daylight returns. I'll also try to photograph the interface of blade and hilt; I'm having some trouble comprehending the construction details, and how it all comes together.

Bob A · 29th May 2023, 06:10 PM

More pics

Ren Ren · 29th May 2023, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob A

Sure, when daylight returns. I'll also try to photograph the interface of blade and hilt; I'm having some trouble comprehending the construction details, and how it all comes together.

Can be connected with silver solder?

Rick · 30th May 2023, 07:49 PM

Two things I find puzzling are the tapered notches at the base of the scales where they meet the bolster. The other feature is the feathery looking engraving on each side of the blade where the filing on the spine ends. First thing that came to my mind was the marks you find on a dipstick to tell you the level of the oil in your car.

In this case when the blade reaches this mark your opponent is dead. (jk)

Bob A · 30th May 2023, 10:16 PM

Yeah, the little marks on the blade puzzled me; on first glance I thought "forging flaw" but they're symmetrical and identical on each side; so, deliberate.

A look at the scales makes me wonder whether they were caused by the original mouth of the sheath, since replaced with the niello overlay.

I still have no clue why the seller was so adamant about "18th century".

mariusgmioc · 1st June 2023, 09:28 PM

It may be the case that the blade is wootz. Maybe it is worth checking.

The blade is almost certainly North Indian and I believethe hilt and scabbard were replaced.

29th May 2023, 12:00 AM	#1
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 427	Afghan Pesh Kabz for comment I picked this up in Timonium this spring; seller was adamant that it was 18th century, though I don't know on what he based his attribution. The niello work on the sheath is obviously a later addition. I've included a close-up pf the sheath, to show that under its leather, there's a double loop of red twine; under the niello, there's evidence of a bit of copper wire, probably a repair. The scales are wood, which seem to have been painted black. I'd be glad to include more pictures of similarly poor quality if anyone thinks it would be of use.

29th May 2023, 06:10 PM	#4
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 427	More pics Attached Images

29th May 2023, 12:07 AM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,290	Can you show us a picture of the knife in its scabbard Bob. Idle curiosity I guess, but it's another bit of information that might help.

29th May 2023, 05:22 AM	#3
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 427	Sure, when daylight returns. I'll also try to photograph the interface of blade and hilt; I'm having some trouble comprehending the construction details, and how it all comes together.

30th May 2023, 07:49 PM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,290	Two things I find puzzling are the tapered notches at the base of the scales where they meet the bolster. The other feature is the feathery looking engraving on each side of the blade where the filing on the spine ends. First thing that came to my mind was the marks you find on a dipstick to tell you the level of the oil in your car. In this case when the blade reaches this mark your opponent is dead. (jk)

30th May 2023, 10:16 PM	#7
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 427	Yeah, the little marks on the blade puzzled me; on first glance I thought "forging flaw" but they're symmetrical and identical on each side; so, deliberate. A look at the scales makes me wonder whether they were caused by the original mouth of the sheath, since replaced with the niello overlay. I still have no clue why the seller was so adamant about "18th century".

1st June 2023, 09:28 PM	#8
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,903	It may be the case that the blade is wootz. Maybe it is worth checking. The blade is almost certainly North Indian and I believethe hilt and scabbard were replaced.