An Afghan 'Shashka' for comment and help with translation

[Montino Bourbon]

Nice and very functional blade, (I'm big on functionality) that I'm sure works very well for the work it was intended to do. I'll bet you can clear the line at the supermarket quickly with that. The handle is lovely too, with a beautiful patina that shows some age. The calligraphy is nice too. I like it. Looking again I noticed another nice detail, what looks like a false edge near the point.

[GePi]

Thank you for opening up the thread again Ian. I will not comment any further on that absurd nomenclature derail.

Originally Posted by Montino Bourbon

Nice and very functional blade, (I'm big on functionality) that I'm sure works very well for the work it was intended to do. I'll bet you can clear the line at the supermarket quickly with that. The handle is lovely too, with a beautiful patina that shows some age. The calligraphy is nice too. I like it. Looking again I noticed another nice detail, what looks like a false edge near the point.

It sure does have a false edge, not sharpened though. As said above said the whole blade has a very Indian feel and would feel right at home mounted in a tulwar hilt.

It may be well be wootz, but due to a feature I forgot to show I will not refinish it. It has some geometric decoration at the forte, either applied via (negative) etching or through polishing, I am not sure, very similar to an example from the Ashokaarts archive. It's crude, but of course it has to stay.

[GePi]

As for the translation, Dmitry was kind enough to forward my request and received the following transcriptions.

The inscription on the front side bolster:

نادي علياً مظهر العجائب تجده عونا لك في النوائب

Which google translate gave as:
"Call upon Ali, the manifestation of wonders, and you will find him to help you in calamities"

The upper part of the obverse bolster:

كل هم وغم سينجلي بعظمتك ياالله

Which google translates as:
"All worry and sorrow will be cleared by your greatness, O God"

The lower part here is still missing, unfortunately. Anyone proficient in Arabic able to confirm these readings?

[Kurt]

Originally Posted by GePi

As for the translation, Dmitry was kind enough to forward my request and received the following transcriptions.

The inscription on the front side bolster:

نادي علياً مظهر العجائب تجده عونا لك في النوائب

Which google translate gave as:
"Call upon Ali, the manifestation of wonders, and you will find him to help you in calamities"

The upper part of the obverse bolster:

كل هم وغم سينجلي بعظمتك ياالله

Which google translates as:
"All worry and sorrow will be cleared by your greatness, O God"

The lower part here is still missing, unfortunately. Anyone proficient in Arabic able to confirm these readings?

Good end to the discussion.
Kurt

[kwiatek]

Just to complete the reading already given of the Nadi 'Ali quatrain as it is found on this piece:

SIDE A

ناد علیا مظیر العجائب
تجده عونا لك في النوائب

SIDE B

كل هم وغم سينجلي بعمظمتك يا الله
[بنبوتك يا محمد بولايتك [يا علي


"Call upon Ali, the manifestation of wonders, you will find him a help in hardships/
All worry and sorrow will be dispelled, by your greatness O God,
By your prophethood O Muhammad, by your trusteeship [O 'Ali!]"

For some reason, the final words "O Ali" appear to be missing, or at least I cannot see them. Presumably not enough room on the bolster

[GePi]

Thanks a lot, kwiatek!