Russian Khyber knife

[mahratt]

I think soon we can expect many more items with stamps Zlatoust: Afghan Khyber, Ethiopian Gurade Sword, Sudanese Kaskara Sword....


By the way, Russian collectors of weapons from Russia confirmed that a stamp - modern.

[ariel]

This stamp was used by Zlatoust Weapon Factory between 1890's and 1917.
Source http://www.imha.ru/1144531224-proizv...l#.VxPtK_krK01

Here are examples.
Minor variations are expected: no stamping device would survive forever.
The fact that somebody in today's Russia produced a copy proves only one thing: Russian collectors are paranoid not for nothing; they are bombarded with fakes.

[mahratt]

Need to have serious problems with vision, not to see the difference in these stamps))))

[ariel]

OK, folks, let's ignore the snarks etc.

I repeat my question: does anyone here know of any other example of a Khyber or any other 19th century Afghani bladed weapon with Russian stamps? I know about British and, likely, German blades for their short swords/sabers, but nothing Russian.
Is it possible that Afghani military was supplied by both sides of the Great Game?

[AJ1356]

It is quite possible, I think king Abdul Rahman was in Russia before coming to power, or something like that. My history is a bit fuzzy right now. I know later on Soviet made weapons were the norm in Afghan army, post WWII.

[mahratt]

Originally Posted by AJ1356

It is quite possible, I think king Abdul Rahman was in Russia before coming to power, or something like that. My history is a bit fuzzy right now. I know later on Soviet made weapons were the norm in Afghan army, post WWII.

Abdurrahman was in Russia, but only in Bukhara (which at that time belonged to the Russian) And Zlatoust and Bukhara are located far from each other. In addition, Abdurrahman did not have such influence, that for him to Zlatoust specially made Afghan weapon with Russian stamps.

Do you know about the production of weapons for Afghanistan in the Soviet Union? ))))) It would be very interesting. Maybe you are talking about deliveries of Russian weapons to the Afghan army?

And here's another question. Do you think that this the Khyber knife is not made in Afghanistan? In your option it produced in Russia?

[ariel]

Originally Posted by AJ1356

It is quite possible, I think king Abdul Rahman was in Russia before coming to power, or something like that. My history is a bit fuzzy right now. I know later on Soviet made weapons were the norm in Afghan army, post WWII.

Well, in this particular case we are dealing with a pre-1917 revolutionary Zlatoust, as evidenced by the orthography and the double-headed eagle.
What alternative explanations do we have?
1. old Afghans stole the stamping device from Zlatoust. What for? Would wild Pushtuns give a dam about having a Russia-made weapon?
2. old Khyber was recently re-branded with a fake device. But then, again what for? This would not increase the value of the sword and, indeed, it did not sell despite being priced in line with other khybers. And it did not come from Russia.
3. A traveling Zlatoust salesman showing his samples to Gilzais or Khazara? No comment:-)
4. An order of some CA khan, a vassal of the Tsar, for a batch of Zlatoust blades for his Royal butchers?

Anything else?

Old Roman approach " Qui prodest?", Who benefits? doesn't seem to help.

I am confused.....

This stamp is a real curveball.

[mahratt]

We have a modern stamp) ) ) And all further discussion of the subject - science fiction in the style of Bradbury and Moorcock ) ) ) ) )

Why put a modern stamp on the old Khyber knife - it is a mystery. Versions can be many. From a simple joke. Prior to check stamp. That is, maybe someone before you put a stamp on a modern copy of Russian weapons, decided to practice on a cheap Khyber knife.

[mahratt]

Originally Posted by ariel

I know about British and, likely, German blades for their short swords/sabers,

It is not difficult to give examples of short swords?