Afghan shashkas

[Turkoman.khan]

Originally Posted by Sakalord364

Just to add a bit, yes the blade is Persian, however the scabbard fittings and Handle is clearly Afghan. This was a trade blade that a local sword cutler used to create an Afghan style Shashka.

In the late 19th century many of these cutlers were Bukharans who settled in Kabul- their main clientele at this point would have been Afghan Army officers who wanted a fancy private purchase sword as opposed to their bland government issued piece.

Hello, Sakalord

I don’t think this is the work of Bukhara masters who worked in Kabul. Usually masters from Bukhara used their own techniques for decorating weapons. I recently read the article "Arms decoration features in Khanates of Central Asia":
https://www.academia.edu/105977932/A...Y_20TH_CENTURY

The technique of decorating this shashka is completely different from the techniques used by Bukhara masters.

But I completely agree with your opinion that many Afghan Army officers wanted a fancy private purchase sword.