Copies of Tzarist Russian swords worn by afghan officers

[Sakalord364]

In photos from the early 1900s, I have seen Afghan officers with swords that are clearly imitations of Tzarist Russian “dragoon” Sabres, which is surprising since most afghan military equipment was inspired by British patterns during this time. Did they copy neighboring Russias sword design because they liked the aesthetics or was their some kind of secret deal with a Russian arsenal?

The afghan copy has nickel mounts, while the original Russian has brass

[mahratt]

Originally Posted by Sakalord364

In photos from the early 1900s, I have seen Afghan officers with swords that are clearly imitations of Tzarist Russian “dragoon” Sabres, which is surprising since most afghan military equipment was inspired by British patterns during this time. Did they copy neighboring Russias sword design because they liked the aesthetics or was their some kind of secret deal with a Russian arsenal?

The afghan copy has nickel mounts, while the original Russian has brass

Hello, Sakalord364

There were no "secret deals" with the Russians in Afghanistan at that time. At least until 1919.
It's just that at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, "European models" of sabers were actively copied.

Photo from my book: