Lew Waldman's Ethnographic Arms & Armour Collection Archive


127 - Khyber Knife Inscribed 'Sellers 1930 Razmak'

An example of a Khyber knife measuring 16¼ inches (41 cm) in overall length with a blade measuring 11½ inches (29.5 cm). The slightly curved blade has the typical 'T' cross section with an engraved spine widened to 0.39 inches (0.99 cm) from an adjacent thickness of 0.13 inch (0.34 cm). Two narrow, shallow fullers are surrounded by engraved decoration. One face of the blade is inscribed 'SELLERS 1930 RAZMAK' by a different technique. Lew's notes indicate that he believed the knife was captured during the Red Shirt Rebellion (1930-1931). Razmak is a place name in present day S. Waziristan, Pakistan near the Afgan border. The knife features a typical bolster for the type in brass with a nicely faceted band adjacent to orange brown translucent horn scales composed of two pieces on each side that overlie aluminum against brass. The knife retains its old leather covered wooden sheath; ensheathed (and covering the bolster when inserted) the overall length is 16¼ inches (41 cm) with the point !exposed! for a few millimeters just beyond where the tip of the of the sheath is perished and missing. Residue suggests the tip has been previously covered with since removed tape. The sheath is covered by embossed and perforated dark brown leather with some losses and cracking. Through the perforations a layer of red colored foil may be seen (this looks gold when reflecting bright light). An applied faded 'badge' has been applied on one face of the scabbard, a pair of old perforations are present on the back side where the seam from the leather covering has been sewn is evident. Overall weight is just under 13 ounces (361 grams) with the unsheathed knife weighing about 10 ounces (282 grams).

An image was included by Lew in a forum post of examples of khyber knives.


Khyber Knife

Khyber Knife

Khyber Knife 1930 Razmak

Khyber Knife

Khyber Knife



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