Go on...show us your Choora!!

[Tatyana Dianova]

I believe that this one can qualify as Choora. It is an interesting example, the very existence of which defies the author of "Edged Weapons of Afghanistan" book. It has a Wootz blade and a Wootz bolster. The rest of the fittings are made of steel with brass details. The handle is made of walrus tooth and bone. I think it is a relatively early Choora example.

[Turkoman.khan]

Originally Posted by Tatyana Dianova

I believe that this one can qualify as Choora. It is an interesting example, the very existence of which defies the author of "Edged Weapons of Afghanistan" book. It has a Wootz blade and a Wootz bolster. The rest of the fittings are made of steel with brass details. The handle is made of walrus tooth and bone. I think it is a relatively early Choora example.

Hello, Tatyana. Excellent specimen. But I don't see a classic choora... I see a karud or pesh-kabz with a straight blade (oh, this terminology debate), to which the choora handle was later added.

[Tatyana Dianova]

Well, one can argue, if the blade was taken from an earlier small Karud/Pesh or was made specially for the dagger. But the fittings are characteristic for Choora - please see also the rare examples with earlier blades in the "Edged Weapons of Afghanistan" book. The fittings fit perfectly each other and the blade - please see the cross-section of the scabbard, where only a Choora handle can pass through. I believe what we see here - forgetting the name game - is a an early missing link between a Karud/Pesh and a later classical Choora.

[Tatyana Dianova]

I have another interesting example. A Choora with a fine Wootz blade, ivory hilt and a high-grade silver mounts (tested).

[Turkoman.khan]

Originally Posted by Tatyana Dianova

Well, one can argue, if the blade was taken from an earlier small Karud/Pesh or was made specially for the dagger. But the fittings are characteristic for Choora - please see also the rare examples with earlier blades in the "Edged Weapons of Afghanistan" book. The fittings fit perfectly each other and the blade - please see the cross-section of the scabbard, where only a Choora handle can pass through. I believe what we see here - forgetting the name game - is a an early missing link between a Karud/Pesh and a later classical Choora.

That's a possibility. But it's quite logical to assume they took an old blade and made a handle and scabbard for it. Here's another interesting item. And it's unlikely to be a transitional form from pesh-kabza to choora.