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Old 10th June 2020, 09:40 AM   #1
GePi
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Default Another translation request of a stamp on a pulwar blade

Since I got such a quick and expert response on my last post here is another head scratcher.

It concerns a pulwar with a well made blade, which I believe was made in northern India. Besides some imitation european blade markings it also has a stamp at the forte, containing some writing in Arabic script which I cannot make out at all.
I have seen quite a few blades with these kinds of stamps, the most famous probably being the Sword of Dara Shikoh at the V&A. I do not think that I have seen two identical ones.
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Old 10th June 2020, 10:42 AM   #2
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Wow, what a beauty!
And the blade is fantastic. It seems to have the characteristic "Indian ricasso." Pretty sure made in Northern India.
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Old 10th June 2020, 01:48 PM   #3
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WOW!!! is right. Beautiful blade and hilt.
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Old 10th June 2020, 11:35 PM   #4
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Can you send a closer shot of the inscription?
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Old 11th June 2020, 05:05 AM   #5
GePi
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Okay, with a whole lot of fiddling I think I managed to trick my cell phone camera into being a bit less crappy for a second, but I don't know if it is enough
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Old 12th June 2020, 01:00 AM   #6
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Don’t think it’s Arabic/Persian. Can’t help with Devanagari or any Indian alphabets I’m afraid
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Old 23rd June 2020, 05:49 PM   #7
Norman McCormick
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Hi,
Here is one of mine, a Tulwar with possible Afghan connections, the pinned hilt. Again an inscription that has so far defied identification possibly because it may be just be nonsensical.
Regards,
Norman.
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Old 23rd June 2020, 07:50 PM   #8
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Just a side comment: as per Elgood, pinned handles might have originated in S.India/Deccan, and NW India was chock full of them.

You are absolutely correct to be careful about the Afghani origin: pinned handle is perhaps the weakest attributative sign. IMHO, only the “pulwar” handle and the system of blade fullers can provide decent evidence.
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Old 23rd June 2020, 08:30 PM   #9
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Thank you very much Oliver!
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Old 24th June 2020, 12:33 PM   #10
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Hi,
The scabbard fittings might have a bearing on the origin?
Regards,
Norman.
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