Khyber knife

[scratch]

G'day :)
I was hoping someone could tell me what type of horn the pommmel is? the grain is rougher and stickier than the buffalo grips I have. Also is this an Afridi tribal piece? Would the two tone birdhead grip indicate status? Any thoughts/advice is very welcome.
Overall length 27 in
Blade length 21 3/4 in
Weight 21 oz


Kind regards,

Daniel

[Lew]

Nice 20th century example 1930s I think.


Lew

[Gavin Nugent]

Nice blade Dan, I have always had a love for these blades but have never ventured to buy one.

Lew, you put this piece at a guess around 1930's. Are there any definitive reference books or internet links for identifying and dating there wonderful knives?

regards

Gav

[scratch]

Hello Lew :)
Would a 1930's attribution infer a British officer piece?
They feel efficient pieces, to me. The scabbard is carved, in style, under chape. Is this incongruent?
Hello Gav :)
Thanks for your interest! I have included a blade close up of markings for you.
What does the design on forte/spine mean? armoury? I would be pleased to know the geographical location of manufacture, as I would with the barong you kindly expressed interest in.

Best regards,

Dan

[katana]

Would I be right in saying that later examples have 2 slabs of bone/ivory/horn/wood either side and earlier examples tend to have 1 on each side.....or is this an 'over-simplification' ?

Nice knife Dan :)

Regards David

[ward]

that would be a good general rule

[Lew]

Scratch

The blade itself may be older but the hilt and scabbard seem to be 1930s Red shirt rebellion era. The craftmanship on the hilt and scabbard are not of the same quality as you see on the 19th century swords. Can you post a close up of the bolsters on the hilt.

Lew

[scratch]

Hello David and Ward, Thank you for guidelines on grip dating :)
Lew, Thank you for Red Shirt Rebellion info. I have included bolster photos for you. there is some rough soldering. What is the metal under plating of bolster? It is not steel :shrug:

Cheers,

Dan :)

[Lew]

I think this is a late 19th century sword that was rehilted in the early 20th century. Bolster looks older with signs of better craftmanship Most of the older ones I have seen were fitted via some type of solder. Below is a 1930 era one the belonged to a British soldier Red shirt rebellion. I have added a few different style hilts for comparison.

Lew

[katana]

Lew, I like the 'hilt comparison' pictures.... ;) They are not all yours ...are they ? Surely you haven't the 'room' with all those Sudanese Arm Daggers :p ;)

Dan,
I think it unusual that the scabbard is carved wood....all the ones I have seen are leather (usually goat) over a wooden core. I think Lew is 'bang on' with the blade being older .... :cool:

Thanks Ward for 'clarifying' the hilt 'slabs' / age identification :)

Regards David

[Lew]

Katana

Do I wish these were all mine! I copied them from Artzi's website.


Lew

[ward]

various examples 3/4 of them are wootz

[katana]

Very nice group Ward :cool:

[scratch]

Lew, Thanks for your help and for taking the time to collate hilt comparison photos :) very useful I think.
Ward, Thanks for sharing such wonderful quality examples :cool: would use of wootz infer Indian manufacture?
David and Gav, Thanks for your interest and input :)

Kind regards,

Dan