Question regarding the origin of the grip construction on these European style swords

[Sakalord364]

Is this type of grip construction on these Afghan swords (small panel of wood or bone surrounded by the metal grip) a European type of construction, or is it Caucasian in origin? The only other place I’ve seen it is on this imperial Russian shashka(last photo)

[Jim McDougall]

You do pose most interesting questions!

The Afghan military swords with this intriguing hilt style have been discussed here many times through the years, and seem to have evolved there from a form that was in use around time of the 2nd Afghan war c. 1879. They were produced at the Machin Khana from about mid to late 1880s into early 20th c.It is unclear whether at that complex itself or adjacent shops, but they typically have the Afghan state seal.

I have personally always suspected the overall design of a British sword bayonet was the basis for the hilt design, and as the primary production at the Machin Khana was Enfield rifles if not mistaken.

The grip material on the 'shashka' appears to be rayskin or other substitute which was a much favored affectation on Tatar sabers such as 'ordynka' from Poland and other regions with Tatar presence. Naturally this material was used by many nations for officers hilts, but in the context shown the Tatar influence came to mind.

On the odd cross hatch on the Afghan grip, no idea what that might be.

[Sakalord364]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

You do pose most interesting questions!

The Afghan military swords with this intriguing hilt style have been discussed here many times through the years, and seem to have evolved there from a form that was in use around time of the 2nd Afghan war c. 1879. They were produced at the Machin Khana from about mid to late 1880s into early 20th c.It is unclear whether at that complex itself or adjacent shops, but they typically have the Afghan state seal.

I have personally always suspected the overall design of a British sword bayonet was the basis for the hilt design, and as the primary production at the Machin Khana was Enfield rifles if not mistaken.

The grip material on the 'shashka' appears to be rayskin or other substitute which was a much favored affectation on Tatar sabers such as 'ordynka' from Poland and other regions with Tatar presence. Naturally this material was used by many nations for officers hilts, but in the context shown the Tatar influence came to mind.

On the odd cross hatch on the Afghan grip, no idea what that might be.

While we are on the topic of these interesting swords, I’m also reminded of this fine example, not a factory made piece but made by a local craftsman, that has an imitation Wilkinson star on the Ricasso! It is wootz so of course it is not a genuine English blade, but if an Afghan craftsman decided to imitate the Wilkinson symbol on this very well made piece then there must have been many genuine Wilkinson blades floating around in Kabul at the time.

Afghan edged weapons were influenced by both Russia and the British empire during the late 19th century and I stuggle to pinpoint which empire they veered closer to- Afghan shashkas obviously point towards the Russians, but the imitation of the Wilkinson star implies a strong British influence as well:

[Jim McDougall]

Absolutely locally made as suggested and one in one of the local shops around Machin Khana in Kabul. I have never seen evidence of these made in the assembly lines of that factory, but sub contracting of course in the same manner as in Solingen and most sword centers was certainly present.
There these hilts were also mounted on tribal 'Khyber knife' blades for forces of the local levees who were attached to the British army .

There were of course many Wilkinson swords about and the 'Star of Solomon' (not Masonic nor the Star of David) surround used to enclose proof marks on British officers swords was certainly copied. The Afghan army profoundly copied British uniforms (even kilts and Albert style helmets), used British arms and were heavily subsidized by the UK.

A good book to learn more on these times, ["The Great Game" by Peter Hopkirk gives full perspective of the conflicts and political circumstances there.

The shashka presence was primarily from Caucasian source, via of course the Russians. After the Murid Wars, there were many Caucasians in the ranks of the Russian army and the Caucasian officers often used their own shashkas.
The Cossack shashka of course evolved from these, but the rank and file regulation forms have nothing to do with Afghan shashkas.

[Norman McCormick]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

There these hilts were also mounted on tribal 'Khyber knife' blades for forces of the local levees who were attached to the British army .

Hi Jim,
This one of mine I would suggest falls into the above category. As you will notice it also has a totally pointless scabbard drag to further mimic European sword construction of the period.
My Regards,
Norman.

[Sakalord364]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Absolutely locally made as suggested and one in one of the local shops around Machin Khana in Kabul. I have never seen evidence of these made in the assembly lines of that factory, but sub contracting of course in the same manner as in Solingen and most sword centers was certainly present.
There these hilts were also mounted on tribal 'Khyber knife' blades for forces of the local levees who were attached to the British army .

There were of course many Wilkinson swords about and the 'Star of Solomon' (not Masonic nor the Star of David) surround used to enclose proof marks on British officers swords was certainly copied. The Afghan army profoundly copied British uniforms (even kilts and Albert style helmets), used British arms and were heavily subsidized by the UK.

A good book to learn more on these times, ["The Great Game" by Peter Hopkirk gives full perspective of the conflicts and political circumstances there.

The shashka presence was primarily from Caucasian source, via of course the Russians. After the Murid Wars, there were many Caucasians in the ranks of the Russian army and the Caucasian officers often used their own shashkas.
The Cossack shashka of course evolved from these, but the rank and file regulation forms have nothing to do with Afghan shashkas.

I’m sure the phenomenon of military style hilts attached to khyber blades was just a local fashion of the time

[Jim McDougall]

Indeed the phenomenon of military style hilts was an apparent popular convention of the period post Gandamak Treaty (1879) .As the British occupied Afghan regions nominally, and tribesmen of various Khyber region tribes with para military levees attached to the army often favored their own blades, these hybrid 'saylaawa' (=Khyber knife) were often seen.

Many of these hilted with the European style hits had the Mazar i Sharif stamp on the blade, presumably from hilting in these shops near the Kaar Khaana e Jangalak (Machin Khana) in Kabul.

The European military style hilt seems to have been known in degree in Afghan regions as Daoud Shah is seen wearing a sword with similar hilt design at the signing of the Treaty of Gandamak, May, 1879.
There were suggestions that this design was a pattern of 1889 regulation hilt, but as far as I have known that has never been substantiated.
These military style swords with this distinct hilt form seem to have produced in Kabul from 1893-1903 (I have one dated 1896) but it has not been clear which units used them.