Help With an Arabic Inscription on an Afghan Poulowar

[CharlesS]

I am hoping that a forumite can help me with the translation of the inscription on this rather unusual poulowar. There is an inscription along the blade, and one in a small cartouche near the hilt.

Thanks for any help.

[ariel]

Beautiful one!
The widening blade reminds me of Arabian ( in the Elgood's sense) Nimchas.

[CharlesS]

It's great to handle, very comfortable.

The blade is what first drew me to it, but the inscriptions strike as a little odd. It seems the Arabic is surrounded by European style foliage designs and decoration.

[RSWORD]

Charles,

I suspect the blade is European and the text(as far as how it is etched into the blade) and the decoration are good indicators. It reminds me some of the quality of work sometimes found on Ethiopian blades and if you sucessfully export to N Africa, why not other parts of the world. Question is, was it made for a European living/working in NW India/Afghanistan or an imported blade mounted up for strictly local use. I believe this might classify as one of those cross cultural pieces you are so fond of.

[CharlesS]

I think you may very well be right about the origin of the blade, Rsword. Having seen many Ethiopian swords of European manufacture, this is certainly similar in terms of the style of the blade decor.