A CHOORA and a few questions

katana · 28th June 2007, 07:49 PM

Finally got a Choora, seems quite old, was heavily rusted with a very thick layer of black 'stablised' rust. Cleaned it up ....could probably do with a bit more.
Would anyone have any ideas as to age? tribe/ or Region?
The handle is horn and I pressume ..bone. Small inserted 'dots' of light blue and red....no idea what material they are made from

and two larger creamy coloured 'dots' ...again, of unknown material.

Would it be wise to clean the blade further? OAL 11"

Any help or comments gratefully received, thank you

David

Lew · 28th June 2007, 08:03 PM

Pesh are from Afghanistan which region within that country I could not say for sure. As far as age goes I would say mid 20th century. My reason for this is I have noticed quite a few 20th century pesh are made with shorter blades 6-7 inches or so. The older pesh usually are in the 9"-10" range. Still a nice dagger you have there too bad there was no scabbard.

Lew

kronckew · 28th June 2007, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOUIEBLADES

...quite a few 20th century pesh are made with shorter blades 6-7 inches or so. The older pesh usually are in the 9"-10" range. ...

mine is exactly 8in blade

Lew · 28th June 2007, 10:09 PM

Nice one kronckew but it does not strike me as old. It's hard to tell the age on these knives since they are still being made today. I have only one of these in my collection and the hilt shows a deep patina on the hilt but I can't tell if mine is ivory or bone. The scabbard on mine has very old iron fittings if I can find a picture of it I will post it.

Lew

katana · 28th June 2007, 10:26 PM

Ah ...so its a Pesh

...choora, Pesh....Pesh, Choora still getting them 'mixed up'

Hi Lew, thanks, a little disappointed ...I thought this was older(late 19th early 20th)...I can only assume (with all the rust) that this knife spent alot of time strapped to a diver's leg

Yours is a fine example.

Kronckew, have to agree with Lew......nice dagger,.......seems I need to make another scabbard. Is it usual to have a decorative item (talisman?) hanging from the 'eyelet' in the pommel area?

Flavio · 28th June 2007, 10:44 PM

Hello Lew, seems ivory or maybe deer antler

ward · 29th June 2007, 12:47 AM

generally 1 piece bone or ivory on each side are older. 2 and 3 part grips generally mean 20th century

kronckew · 29th June 2007, 02:08 AM

the white metal spacers between the ivory scales and the brass on mine appear to be aluminum, as is the slotted rail at the top of the brass scabbard where the carrying rings are. i believe this all puts it in the post ww2 (ie mid 20th c.) era but well before the current conflict. the grips appear to be ivory and are actually a bit yellower in reality than in the enhanced picture, but not as much as yours....

28th June 2007, 07:49 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	A CHOORA and a few questions Finally got a Choora, seems quite old, was heavily rusted with a very thick layer of black 'stablised' rust. Cleaned it up ....could probably do with a bit more. Would anyone have any ideas as to age? tribe/ or Region? The handle is horn and I pressume ..bone. Small inserted 'dots' of light blue and red....no idea what material they are made from and two larger creamy coloured 'dots' ...again, of unknown material. Would it be wise to clean the blade further? OAL 11" Any help or comments gratefully received, thank you David Attached Images

28th June 2007, 10:09 PM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Nice one kronckew but it does not strike me as old. It's hard to tell the age on these knives since they are still being made today. I have only one of these in my collection and the hilt shows a deep patina on the hilt but I can't tell if mine is ivory or bone. The scabbard on mine has very old iron fittings if I can find a picture of it I will post it. Lew Attached Images

28th June 2007, 08:03 PM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Pesh are from Afghanistan which region within that country I could not say for sure. As far as age goes I would say mid 20th century. My reason for this is I have noticed quite a few 20th century pesh are made with shorter blades 6-7 inches or so. The older pesh usually are in the 9"-10" range. Still a nice dagger you have there too bad there was no scabbard. Lew

28th June 2007, 10:26 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Ah ...so its a Pesh ...choora, Pesh....Pesh, Choora still getting them 'mixed up' Hi Lew, thanks, a little disappointed ...I thought this was older(late 19th early 20th)...I can only assume (with all the rust) that this knife spent alot of time strapped to a diver's leg Yours is a fine example. Kronckew, have to agree with Lew......nice dagger,.......seems I need to make another scabbard. Is it usual to have a decorative item (talisman?) hanging from the 'eyelet' in the pommel area?

28th June 2007, 10:44 PM	#6
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hello Lew, seems ivory or maybe deer antler

29th June 2007, 12:47 AM	#7
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	generally 1 piece bone or ivory on each side are older. 2 and 3 part grips generally mean 20th century

29th June 2007, 02:08 AM	#8
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,184	the white metal spacers between the ivory scales and the brass on mine appear to be aluminum, as is the slotted rail at the top of the brass scabbard where the carrying rings are. i believe this all puts it in the post ww2 (ie mid 20th c.) era but well before the current conflict. the grips appear to be ivory and are actually a bit yellower in reality than in the enhanced picture, but not as much as yours....