Afghan military sword

[Rick]

The blade form is very remiscent of the double fullered sabre blade that is often seen on many of these military swords. Will you restore it Wayne?

[kronckew]

Originally Posted by Rick

The blade form is very remiscent of the double fullered sabre blade that is often seen on many of these military swords. Will you restore it Wayne?

Yes, have some white camel bone knife scales on order to replace the apparently missing pieces. Sword is due in a couple days, I'll know more then. Hope the unseen side is OK. if not i'll restore it as well. Gives me something to do.

[kronckew]

The sword arrived this morning, as expected, the 3-section bone grip on both sides have sections front and back missing, retaining the pinned central section. Bone scales I ordered should arrive today/tomorrow.


The sword itself is in excellent shape, the blade is very slightly curved, the height of the chord arc is about a 1/4 in. Blade is patinated but no rust, except some light rust where the scale parts are missing. Blade is 26.25 in. long, 1 7/16 in. wide at the guard, 2 1/4 in. ricasso, pronounced 3/8 in. wide T-spine, elevated 8 in. yelman, very sharp, polished (and patinated) edge, yelman as well. Shallow 1/4 in. wide, fuller under the T-spine.


Photos of script marking on guard strap and brass ricasso inlay attached. The area where the guard/blade join does NOT have a filleted weld, it's just a less patinated bit, and is flat, looks like there may have been a leather or felt washer there once.



Will post more photos as the grip gets its new clothes.

[Rick]

Interesting Wayne. Hopefully the script will be translated by one of our members.
Here is my example, it has the Blue Mosque stamp on the blade and the steel has a wonderful ring when tapped. The handle has been repaired on one side.

[Turkoman.khan]

Hello, kronckew

Did I understand correctly that there is no stamp on the blade, which is typical for Afghan military swords?

[Sajen]

A very nice and rare sword, congrats Wayne!

I personally would polish the blade.

Regards,
Detlef

[kronckew]

Originally Posted by Turkoman.khan

...
Did I understand correctly that there is no stamp on the blade, which is typical for Afghan military swords?

Other than the script on the guard, and the brass inlaid circular bit with 12 brass dots around it, there is no blade stamp I can make out. Can you post a sample of what I should look for?

[Rick]

This thread shows some examples:
Mazar I Sharif mosque.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...rif+mark+stamp

[Turkoman.khan]

Originally Posted by kronckew

Other than the script on the guard, and the brass inlaid circular bit with 12 brass dots around it, there is no blade stamp I can make out. Can you post a sample of what I should look for?

Hello

[Turkoman.khan]

Originally Posted by kronckew

Other than the script on the guard, and the brass inlaid circular bit with 12 brass dots around it, there is no blade stamp I can make out. Can you post a sample of what I should look for?

You have a very interesting sword. Based on the book I have, I think your sword is a replica of the Afghan army swords that were made for the Afghan army in the arsenal in Kabul in the late 19th/early 20th century.
As I understand it, swords similar to army ones were fashionable in Afghanistan at some point. And private masters made them for men from irregular units.