A CHOORA and a few questions

[katana]

Finally got a Choora, seems quite old, was heavily rusted with a very thick layer of black 'stablised' rust. Cleaned it up ....could probably do with a bit more.
Would anyone have any ideas as to age? tribe/ or Region?
The handle is horn and I pressume ..bone. Small inserted 'dots' of light blue and red....no idea what material they are made from :shrug: and two larger creamy coloured 'dots' ...again, of unknown material.

Would it be wise to clean the blade further? OAL 11"

Any help or comments gratefully received, thank you

David

[Lew]

Pesh are from Afghanistan which region within that country I could not say for sure. As far as age goes I would say mid 20th century. My reason for this is I have noticed quite a few 20th century pesh are made with shorter blades 6-7 inches or so. The older pesh usually are in the 9"-10" range. Still a nice dagger you have there too bad there was no scabbard.


Lew

[kronckew]

...quite a few 20th century pesh are made with shorter blades 6-7 inches or so. The older pesh usually are in the 9"-10" range. ...

mine is exactly 8in blade :)
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s231/kronckew/choora/choora.jpg
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s231/kronckew/choora/choora001.jpg
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s231/kronckew/choora/choora004.jpg
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s231/kronckew/choora/choora003.jpg
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s231/kronckew/choora/choora002.jpg

[Lew]

Nice one kronckew but it does not strike me as old. It's hard to tell the age on these knives since they are still being made today. I have only one of these in my collection and the hilt shows a deep patina on the hilt but I can't tell if mine is ivory or bone. The scabbard on mine has very old iron fittings if I can find a picture of it I will post it.


Lew

[katana]

Ah ...so its a Pesh :o ...choora, Pesh....Pesh, Choora still getting them 'mixed up' :p

Hi Lew, thanks, a little disappointed ...I thought this was older(late 19th early 20th)...I can only assume (with all the rust) that this knife spent alot of time strapped to a diver's leg ;) Yours is a fine example.

Kronckew, have to agree with Lew......nice dagger,.......seems I need to make another scabbard. Is it usual to have a decorative item (talisman?) hanging from the 'eyelet' in the pommel area?

[Flavio]

Hello Lew, seems ivory or maybe deer antler :confused:

[ward]

generally 1 piece bone or ivory on each side are older. 2 and 3 part grips generally mean 20th century

[kronckew]

the white metal spacers between the ivory scales and the brass on mine appear to be aluminum, as is the slotted rail at the top of the brass scabbard where the carrying rings are. i believe this all puts it in the post ww2 (ie mid 20th c.) era but well before the current conflict. the grips appear to be ivory and are actually a bit yellower in reality than in the enhanced picture, but not as much as yours....