This is clearly a tulwar from northern regions of India, most probably in those of Northwest Frontier Province, and while quite munitions grade, these kinds of weapons were often made to supply private security forces and para military police etc. in early 20th c. It is hard to set period but the style is quite representative of traditional form and appears quite serviceable.
That curious marking I do not think represents a gate, but does resemble the kinds of markings it seems occur in use by the Kalash people of regions in Chitral. These valleys in Pakistan are just north of the NW Frontier Province and possibly this might relate to these tribal people. The rivet in the hilt seems common to tulwars of these northern regions.
Just reviewing notes, in the times of c1900+ there were a number of frontier militias as I noted as levys for policing, and one was the Chitral Frontier militia.
Last edited by Jim McDougall; 28th August 2022 at 05:10 AM.
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