Actually there are a number of terms and applications here which seem to misconstrue the actual character of this sword. With ethnographic weapons often strict classifications are patently impossible if not unlikely especially when it comes to terminology and terms often used by collectors and dealers. The unfortunate term 'tourist piece' is often overused and misplaced. The fact that many lesser grade weapons which were actually in some degree of use tribally in many regions were acquired as souveniers can often suggest intentionally commercial make.
The term paluoar, like tulwar, is simply a descriptive term in Afghan and Hindu languages, respectively and does not necessarily constitute an actual weapon type classification except of course in collectors parlance.
The term 'Afghan' as far as classifying this sabre does not necessarily serve well either, as 'Afghanistan' was not recognized geographically as such officially until the Treaty of Rawalpindi in 1919. While of course the term was used in many instances, the regions, especially to the south, were essentially India including bordering Sind and Punjab. Afghanistan was essentially also the land of the Pathans, who were thoroughly present throughout areas of India with continual movement in these directions.
The centrally positioned device in the chowk, in an otherwise notably Indo-Persian 'tulwar' style hilt as collectively known in collectors circles, seems to correspond to numerous examples we have discussed and which were held to be from either Afghan or Northwest Frontier regions. In many cases the scabbards such as seen with openwork mounts held to be of Afghan style similar to that found on many Khyber knives and 'paluoar' type sabres seemed to support that attribution.
The blade, though the 'ricasso' is mentioned, seems that it may have been a British product intended to equip native cavalry units during the Raj, and I have the impression the irregular corrosion in patches could suggest wear spots in galvanized steel. This process was patented from a French patent by Robert Mole & Sons in 1860, and this firm was of course a supplier to India Stores contractually with Wilkinson Sword Co. in the latter 19th. While they had the patent though, most of the blades I have seen by Mole were of regularly forged steel without this process. This may be of course a case of commercial deviation as there are many.
The engraving, as well observed, is a much later addition to the blade, and apparantly carried out by a less skilled, probably tribally in frontier regions, to dress a blade in accord with probably finer example swords of officers. These efforts, much as with the thuluth inscriptions etched on blades in the Sudan, were to appeal to tribesmen who were still using these weapons in these regions in the 20th century. These remote areas actually do not see that many tourists I would imagine, and the rugged scabbard suggests actual use as well as the scribe work of the motif....one off rather than commercial.
Just my thoughts, interesting sabre, which I would term a sabre, probably Pathan use with tulwar style hilt of northwest India/Afghan border regions.
The blade probably a British commercial product latter 19th century and remounted and decorated by a tribal armourer.
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