Just an aside, I bought a similar box devoid of the sword several years ago at the Brimfield flea market for $100. I attribute that box as Syrian and not more than a few decades old. The dealer said it had contained a 'very nice' sword that had been presented to someone who had worked in the Middle East and that she had sold the sword for 'good money' previously (not at the same flea market.) It seemed a shame to me that for that valuation of the box that it was not kept with the sword, but, then again, it fits my old Saudi saif perfectly. I'll never know if my sword was an upgrade or downgrade...
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