Afghan Pulwar for Comment

[rickystl]

Hello everyone. Here is a recent purchase for my collection. Since my main area of interest is Ethnographic firearms, it is a rare event for me to purchase a sword. (My only other is an armoury grade Indian tulwar). So, I am mostly a novice with swords. And, I probably paid a little more than I should have for this pulwar (spelling?) But I have always wanted a pulwar. And I thought this one was attractive. So now I finally own one, and am very happy with it. Hopefully other Forum members can provide some additional information.

Specs: Blade is 31 1/2" long, with a triple fuller. Back, top edge (what is that called again?) is 5". And note the decorative groove. Very neat. Top, false front edge (can't remember the proper name for that either ) is 9". And, the blade is still somewhat sharp.
The scabbard is wood, black velvet covered, with a decorative iron tail. (Don't remember the correct name for that either. ) I said I was a novice.
The velvet looks old with no tears or cuts.
I do have two questions: 1) Do you think the blade was locally made or European? 2) Can anyone identify what looks like a makers mark on the blade?
Thanks for any assistance. Here are a bunch of photos. Rick.

[rickystl]

Two additional photos:

[Jim McDougall]

Ricky, this is an extremely nice example of an Afghan paluoar, and the decorative features of the hilt reflect well established motif of the sabres of Northwest India. The scabbards are typically remounted through generations as typical of most ethnographic arms, and the fluted long scabbard chape is characteristic Afghan style (also similar seen on some Uzbek shashka type sabres).

The deeply stamped mark at the ricasso near the hilt and partially obscured by the langet resembles early European crescent moon with face marks used originally in Spain by several makers, then copied in centers such as Solingen and Styria. It seems that paluoar blades are most typically stamped with the so called 'sickle marks' of Genoa, then Styria, but as applied are clearly native armourer applications. In my view this is most likely the case here, but it is most interesting to see this well stamped mark as I have personally never seen one like this. Marking in that particular quadrant of the blade seems typically favored in these regions, and I would suggest the blade is native made in Northern Indian regions. Its raised back at the blade root is seen on many Indian sabre forms, and the blade carries the typical 'Indian ricasso' which is the blunt portion which remains unsharpened. The sharpened back at the term is termed the 'false edge', and when the tip is widened as well the expansion is termed the 'yelman' which does not apply here.
I do not think these were makers marks, but spuriously applied imitations of early European marks which implied quality and may have had in some cases certain talismanic properties.

It is always hard to guage the actual vintage of many of these long favored traditional weapons,but this one certainly seems of the forms seen from mid 18th century and well through the 19th.

[Martin Lubojacky]

Hi. I think you are happy rightly. This is not 100 % my field, but I like this kind of sabers and this one is very nice. Nothing too much affected - but nicely made, real fighting weapon, hilt sensitively ornamented... Isn´t the blade made of mechanical damascus - I think it is visible a little (?)
Regards,
Martin

[napoleon]

i havent seen many of these but this is the nicest one to date,is the groove in the spine typical of this type?

[rickystl]

Hello Jim. Thank you very much for your comments. And a special THANKS for my new found education in sword parts identification. I now feel a bit less novice. I hope you don't mind if I print a copy of your comments to keep in my library for future reference.
As with the firearms, it must be difficult to date these swords considering they were used basically unchanged for some 200 years. Which may account for the numerous examples still available today. We also find these spurious marks on the firearms (especially the barrels of Balkan made guns) in an attempt to fool the prospective buyer of European origins.
I can't seem to put the sword down. I keep holding and looking at it.

Again, a most profound thank you! Rick.

[rickystl]

Hi Martin. How do I tell if the blade is mechanical damascus?? Rick.

[rickystl]

Hi Napoleon. I've seen a few pulwars and numerous tulwars, both personally and in books. But I've never seen this groove in the spine. I suppose it's just decorative? Thanks for the kind comments. Rick.

[Jim McDougall]

Rick, Im really glad I could help, and of course I dont mind your using my comments actually I do the same thing from many of the informative posts here and keep updating my notes. Here we're all learning together and its great when items or questions are posted as I get to research and learn, than add what I can to the thread.

The paluoar is an intriguing and handsome sabre and these have some fascinating history, yours is a beauty! Markings are my particular obsession and this example of the crescent moon on an Afghan blade goes to my notes, so we're quid pro quo!!! Thank you

All the best,
JIm

[rickystl]

Thanks again Jim. Much appreciated. Rick.

[Matt Easton]

Originally Posted by rickystl

Hi Napoleon. I've seen a few pulwars and numerous tulwars, both personally and in books. But I've never seen this groove in the spine.

I have a large tulwar with the exact same feature and I have seen it on other tulwars, as well as Turkish kilij. I think it was not that unusual in the 17th/18th century.

Regards,
Matt

[rickystl]

OK. Thanks Matt. Now I know. Rick.