Khyber knives

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Kubur

Hi
Here is mine.
I have also a Khyber pistol with the same birds...
Kubur

This is really a fascinating motif with the doves and rosette!
I wonder how widespread it is and if there may be some symbolic significance?

For some reason it seems Persian, perhaps because of similarly inlaid designs such as the 'simorgh' bird.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

This is really a fascinating motif with the doves and rosette!
I wonder how widespread it is and if there may be some symbolic significance?

For some reason it seems Persian, perhaps because of similarly inlaid designs such as the 'simorgh' bird.

Salaams Jim ... There are a number of bird designs associated in Persian history and myth... The Dove for example...from http://periesproject.english.upenn.e...n-culture.html

Quote "Dove: Doves were highly regarded in Persian culture. For Muslims (as for Christians) they had a religious valence, as they are revered for once helping Muhammad by distracting his enemies during one stage of the Hijrah from Mecca to Medina, enabling him to escape. They were also romantic symbols, as doves were supposed to act as messengers between sailors lost at sea and their sweethearts, bringing them their final words of love, a tradition that may have arisen from the white doves Greek sailors are supposed to have witnessed escaping from sinking Persian ships during a naval expedition of 492 (Waterfield 32)".Unquote

The same reference goes on to describe other birds.
I found it interesting that the same reference illustrates a bibliography with the ancient recipe for Barbequed Persian Peacock !! Below.

In support I show this web site http://www.ancient-symbols.com/persian-symbols.html which describes Griffins, Huma and the Simorgh all famous in Persian Mythology.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Norman McCormick]

Hi,
This is a standard Khyber knife that has been 'militarised' with the addition of a 'European' style guard presumably in the late 19th early 20thC. Unusually it is also mounted for a left handed user.
Regards,
Norman.

[Rick]

Shouldn't we be calling these weapons 'Salawar' ?
Khyber Knife being the Western term .

[Jim McDougall]

Ibrahiim, thank you, that information was exactly what I was thinking of!
It is well established that the Persians profoundly influenced these regions just as throughout Central Asia, so interesting to know more on these motifs.

Norman....quintessant example!!!

Rick, well noted, the local term 'siliwah' was colloquially coupled with 'yataghan' (which obviously this has nothing to do with) for the collectors term 'salawar yataghan'.
These terms become confounding in discussion as semantics defy proper terminology once they have dominated published material for ages.

As with 'katar' (correctly jamadhar) it is futile to try to use the right term as it is too confusing.

It seems that the 'paluoar' term for the well known downturned dragon head quillon, cup pommel sword designated Afghan........is actually not locally termed as such.....in fact is actually an Indian form of tulwar.

Auuughh!!!

Banana fana fo fana, ......the naaame game!!!

[Goodie]

Miguel - thanks for the "welcome.
Thanks to all for the information and comments.

The "Persian" influence never occurred to me but would make sense. The birds show up a lot in carvings and carpets too.

After reading some of the older posts in the forum, I debated about what to call them and opted for the"generic", assuming that even if not entirely correct, everyone would know what I was referring to when using the term "Khyber Knife".

Best Regards
Goodie