Pirate Weapons...Afghan Style

[TVV]

I can see how this thread can quickly turn into a discussion about the struggle for naval supremacy between the Nepalis and the Afghans.

On a more serious note though, I can see BBJW's point about posting these pieces and the big khukri - so far I think we came to the conclusion that there were no specifically "pirate" edged weapons, and that pirates took whatever they liked or had available that could be useful. I can imagine that the so called khyber knives and the anglicized Afghan sword would make nice boarding weapons and that some of the pirates in the Caribbean or the Maghreb for example could have actually carried those in battle, if they had been available to them. A smallsword or a yataghan can be equally effective, each in their own way and function - the list of possibilities of what could make a pirate weapon is endless.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by TVV

I can see how this thread can quickly turn into a discussion about the struggle for naval supremacy between the Nepalis and the Afghans.

On a more serious note though, I can see BBJW's point about posting these pieces and the big khukri - so far I think we came to the conclusion that there were no specifically "pirate" edged weapons, and that pirates took whatever they liked or had available that could be useful. I can imagine that the so called khyber knives and the anglicized Afghan sword would make nice boarding weapons and that some of the pirates in the Caribbean or the Maghreb for example could have actually carried those in battle, if they had been available to them. A smallsword or a yataghan can be equally effective, each in their own way and function - the list of possibilities of what could make a pirate weapon is endless.

Beautifully said Teodor!!!!
While possibilities of these particular weapons are of course remote, it is always amazing how far very unusual weapons might be found from thier origins. A Japanese katana was listed in an estate inventory from colonial New England in the 17th century. Similarly, a Sinhalese katana turned up in Japan in 1622.
No excitement please! Just examples, nothing to do with pirate weapons, just weapons diffusion.

BJ, back to pirate weapons, I did see one of these Afghan army swords that the individual claimed was a Spanish sword, based primarily on the presumption that the Mazir i Sharif stamp was actually the pillars seen on the Spanish reale coin!

Fantastic gun BJ! I feel sad for the guy, sounds as if he was quite a character. I'm glad you got it BJ, I think it found a very well deserving home and would definitely feel at home under a jolly roger!

All very best regards,
Jim