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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 306
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Hello all!
I have finally succeded in buying an Afghan peshkabz ![]() On the spine of the dagger is a minarette or mosque shaped dome that is flat. Overall very sturdy and well built, it is now my favorite dagger in my collection and is my "flagship" dagger. ![]() Any help would, as always, be most appreciated ! Thank you ! Mark.. |
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#2 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,144
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Aurangzeb:
Bactria (Balkh) is referenced historically as having been part of Afghanistan. There is a map of the old Kashan Empire here, showing the location of Bactria: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kush/hd_kush_d1map.htm If you would, can you explain the distinction between an Afghan "pesh kabz" and a "choora," and why this knife is a pesh kabz. With respect to the wearing of an Afghan choora, at least some Afghans use a baldric type of suspension system. There were pictures of this on the old Forum site. The scabbard was similar to the one shown in the old thread, so it may also have been worn in a similar manner. This is that old thread but the pictures are no longer available: http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000697.html Ian. |
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#3 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 306
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Hi Ian!
I only came to my conclusion off of the auction told me. Maybe someone on the forum chould clairify for me. Thanks for telling me where Bactira was thats been bugging me. |
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#4 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 474
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Ian,
I believe the pesh kabz has a fatter grip and as a consequence the hooked pommel is not as pronounced. Stone on pg 494 says pesh kabz means foregrip and shows both straight and recurved pesh kabz blades. I have never seen a recurved choora blade. Stone (pg 338) calls the straight pesh kabz blade a karud. From what I have in my collection, the karud blades vary from looking very much like choora blades to looking like minature Khyber knife blades. I also have a choora hilted piece with a minature Khyber knife style blade. Given this, I wonder if it isn't the hilt that defines the type. Sincerely, RobT |
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#5 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,144
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Thanks Rob.
That makes sense. I have not heard the distinction based on the hilt before -- wonder if others have the same interpretation. Ian. |
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#6 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 306
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Hi all!
After hearing this I whould say that sounds most likely. I never looked at the grip as the defining point before. Instead I spent hours reading and re-reading books and text on te internet as well as studing pictures until 11:00 at night with a head ache! ![]() |
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#7 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,718
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What would you call this one?
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#8 | |
(deceased)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 3,191
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![]() Quote:
![]() Maybe a khanjar? Lew |
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#9 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 306
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Hi Jens!
Very nice, I am filled with envy! ![]() Maah as-salaama! (good-bye in arabic) ![]() |
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#10 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 474
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Jens,
I would call it a drop dead gorgeous pesh kabz. That is the most beautiful recurved dagger I have ever seen. It's more deeply recurved than the one on pg 494 of Stone's but the general look is the same. Lew, I don't believe it's a khanjar. None of the blades so named in Stone's (pg 353) show a T-rib. On the other hand, I believe khanjar just means knife so there might be T-rib versions. Aurangzeb, If Stone is to be believed on pgs 352 and 354, the khanjarli is a double edged recurved dagger with a large lunette pommel. Sincerely, RobT |
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#11 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,285
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Karud , Pesh , Choora ?
And why ? |
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#12 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,718
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Aurangzeb, the one I showed is not a Khanjarli, it looks like this.
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#13 | |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 215
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![]() Quote:
BTW, I have asked a dozen afghan antique dealers and none have heard of the term "choora". But then again, they were city folk from Kabul........ |
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#14 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,718
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Aurangzeb, I am sorry that I did nor answer your question about the Pesh Kabz. Yes the blade is of wootz. Her is another picture of the blade.
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#15 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 306
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Hi Jens!
In the book I was looking in it has no pictures so I was going off the description, I was too lazy to find my other book with pictures in it! ![]() P.S.- What is this "Stones" book I hear so much about anyway? |
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#16 | |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,285
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#17 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 306
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Hi Rick!
Thanks for the link to the book site I will buy it as soon as I have some extra cash! ![]() |
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#18 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 5,503
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As a personal (and bitterly earned.....) advise: before buying any more blades, get a copy of the Stone's book . Then take a month off, sit down, read it and......enjoy! DO NOT buy anything during that time.
Many people will criticize Stone to the end and will cite hair-splitting errors (in their learned opinion, of course!) all over the book. Ignore them: there is no better overall guide than this one.When you absorb Stone, start reading specialized books: Elgood on Arabian swords, Cato on Moro swords, etc. I think, a good collector should have a pound of reference material per every 10 pounds of metal, with Stone as a foundation. |
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#19 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 306
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Hi Ariel!
Thanks for the advise I will keep it in mind when I get the book. ![]() Only one problem, I have "EBD" (Exessive Buying Disorder). When I see something I like I become obsessed until I get it! ![]() |
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