Sabre with unknown origins

kronckew · 7th July 2018, 08:43 AM

I've had more info on the dates and had info from some other acquaintances and found 3 more swords with very similar Afghani blades as the shamshir from a variety of vendors with dates in the 1314 range attributed to the late 19c. I noted that the solar calendar that puts them at the 1930's was not adopted by the Afghani legislature until Gregorian 1922! So swords made before that in 1895 apparently marked with the Arabian version of the calendar, not the Persian. Confusing, isn't it?

AJ1356 · 7th July 2018, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

I've had more info on the dates and had info from some other acquaintances and found 3 more swords with very similar Afghani blades as the shamshir from a variety of vendors with dates in the 1314 range attributed to the late 19c. I noted that the solar calendar that puts them at the 1930's was not adopted by the Afghani legislature until Gregorian 1922! So swords made before that in 1895 apparently marked with the Arabian version of the calendar, not the Persian. Confusing, isn't it?

You are correct. During the reign of King Amanullah, Afghanistan went from Hijri Qamari, to Hijri Shamsi. I would put the change closer to 1919 though. I am not sure of the exact dates, just remember roughly from history books about 30 years ago in primary school. If all my books were not in boxes now I could have opened on and found out exactly.

kronckew · 10th July 2018, 05:14 PM

,The swords have arrived at my friend's home. He's sent some pics. The Royal Crest is prominent on the blade and scabbard of the sabre. the text on the khyber knife and the talwar is clear, the talwar grip has a faint motif of dotted circles, one just forward of the hilt rivet (which I gather is an Afghani custom unlike Indian ones).

If you can read them & let us know he would be a happy man...Thanks in advance. A flood of pictures follow. (one shows even the sabre's spine is decorated). Afghan crest included.

kronckew · 10th July 2018, 05:45 PM

More

kronckew · 10th July 2018, 05:47 PM

The khyber:

kronckew · 10th July 2018, 05:53 PM

The talwar:

AJ1356 · 10th July 2018, 06:04 PM

Easy things first, since I have a couple of exams and should not let myself get distracted alot

.
on the original to the right of the date it reads Faqeer Hussain, which I am going to guess is the name of the engraver. Very nicely engraved, also it bears the mark or Toopkhaanah or artillery. I had not seen this type of saber before, during and after living in Afghanistan, so it would mean very few were made or were made for high ranking officials.
I'll do some detailed work maybe tomorrow.

10th July 2018, 05:14 PM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	,The swords have arrived at my friend's home. He's sent some pics. The Royal Crest is prominent on the blade and scabbard of the sabre. the text on the khyber knife and the talwar is clear, the talwar grip has a faint motif of dotted circles, one just forward of the hilt rivet (which I gather is an Afghani custom unlike Indian ones). If you can read them & let us know he would be a happy man...Thanks in advance. A flood of pictures follow. (one shows even the sabre's spine is decorated). Afghan crest included. Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 10th July 2018 at 05:34 PM.

10th July 2018, 05:45 PM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	More Attached Images

10th July 2018, 05:47 PM	#5
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	The khyber: Attached Images

10th July 2018, 05:53 PM	#6
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	The talwar: Attached Images

7th July 2018, 08:43 AM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	I've had more info on the dates and had info from some other acquaintances and found 3 more swords with very similar Afghani blades as the shamshir from a variety of vendors with dates in the 1314 range attributed to the late 19c. I noted that the solar calendar that puts them at the 1930's was not adopted by the Afghani legislature until Gregorian 1922! So swords made before that in 1895 apparently marked with the Arabian version of the calendar, not the Persian. Confusing, isn't it?

10th July 2018, 06:04 PM	#7
AJ1356 Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Nashville Posts: 317	Easy things first, since I have a couple of exams and should not let myself get distracted alot . on the original to the right of the date it reads Faqeer Hussain, which I am going to guess is the name of the engraver. Very nicely engraved, also it bears the mark or Toopkhaanah or artillery. I had not seen this type of saber before, during and after living in Afghanistan, so it would mean very few were made or were made for high ranking officials. I'll do some detailed work maybe tomorrow.