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View Full Version : Afghan "Khyber" knives for identification


erikscollectables
12th March 2023, 03:42 PM
Added these two to my collection today. My knowledge mainly is concerned to Indonesian weapons but I started reading a lot here on the forum.

My assessment based on what I found on the forum so far:
-both so called "Khyber" knives from Afghanistan
-probably mid to late 19th century (2nd Afhan War?)
-camel bone handle and horn handle
-both seem to have reasonable quality layered steel, maybe even wootz
-the one with copper details may be from the Balloochi/Baluchi region?

Hope you guys can chime in and add some info!

Are there good period photo's around of these type of weapons being worn?

werecow
12th March 2023, 04:25 PM
Just to add my 2 cents: Indeed khyber knives (aka salwar yataghan). I don't immediately see signs of wootz but I'm not particularly good at identifying faint signs of different types of steel.

There's a picture in this (http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpost.php?p=218413&postcount=246) thread:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=168887&stc=1&d=1500997720
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=168888&stc=1&d=1500997720
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=168889&stc=1&d=1500997720

(I have not searched the whole thread so there may be more.)

AFAIK the choora is a kind of dagger (http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpost.php?p=224686&postcount=12) from the region, not a region itself.

erikscollectables
12th March 2023, 04:37 PM
AFAIK the choora is a kind of dagger from the region, not a region itself.

Correct I mixed two things up - region was Balloochi!

werecow
12th March 2023, 04:46 PM
While I'm at it I might as well add my own "example of the type", since I've never posted it on these boards. Roughly 600gr, 68 cm.

I love the scabbard on this (in spite of it being a bit worn). The red lacquer is flaking a bit, though so I'll need to figure out how to stabilize that (I was thinking of just carefully gluing the flaky ends but suggestions welcome).

Also probably the first sword I got that was sharp enough to actually scare me a little. :D

Would be interested in the measurements of your examples!

erikscollectables
12th March 2023, 07:48 PM
Thanks for the input and nice example!