The back of the blade is massive and T-formed, and the last third of the blade carries a small yelman with a false edge. The edge merges smoothly with the yelman forming a sword--like tip. There are 2 wide fullers stretching from the ricasso almost to the tip. The handle is as a rule made of steel with wooden slabs located in the middle of the grip, between steel parts. The front D-guard is pierced creating an impression of a 3- bar design. The pommel is elegantly curved resembling a bird’s head. The end of quillon is turned toward the back of the blade, similar to the European custom. Ricasso is partially covered from both sides by semicircular guard extensions that resemble cupolas of the mosque. The scabbard is wooden, covered with black or brown leather. The (most often steel) throat is integral with the middle band carrying on its inner side the hanging ring. Thе chape has a well-formed drag.
This weapon is traditionally called Afghan Military Saber or Afghan Military Sword. More correctly, it should be called Afghan Military Khyber or Regulation Khyber. Some may question the reason for introduction of a new term for a weapon only loosely resembling the real ethnic Khyber Knife.
From the start, it is imperative to distinguish the object under discussion from other similar ones that should correctly be called “short sabers”. We can see the latter one in a John Burke’s photograph “ Mohammed Yakub Khan with British Officers in May 1879”, - as carried by the second from the left Afghani named Daoud Shah (9)
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