Another translation request of a stamp on a pulwar blade

[Kubur]

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

The stamp may not contain any letters, as it coulld be the sword smiths mark.
I have tulwars with round and square stamps, some of them are with names, but one of them looks more like two men fighting - so no name, but a sword smiths mark.

It's true for the stamp to the right (I have a similar stamp), but the stamp to the left has letters and even diacritic dots.

[GePi]

Originally Posted by Kubur

It's true for the stamp to the right (I have a similar stamp), but the stamp to the left has letters and even diacritic dots.

True, that's why I was sure it actually had some meaning. Perhaps it's just nonsensical, made by someone illiterate in the script. I'm pretty sure I have seen indian blades with meaningless inscriptions in latin or pseudo-latin script. Quite strange for a blade of this quality though...

[kwiatek]

I think they are made to look as though they are Arabic/Persian letters, reflecting the prestige associated with Persian swordsmiths, but in fact signify something else. I have seen similar designs, but cannot remember where. Would be interested to see other examples

[GePi]

Originally Posted by kwiatek

I think they are made to look as though they are Arabic/Persian letters, reflecting the prestige associated with Persian swordsmiths, but in fact signify something else. I have seen similar designs, but cannot remember where. Would be interested to see other examples

I actually sifted through my refererence picture collection when I got the sword months ago to compare it to other examples.
I thought I could not get to these because I am away from my home computer right now, but I just remembered that I have all my pictures mirrored on a USB stick that I have with me. Silly me
None of these are in my collection of course, so the magnification is even worse. But you can see they are very diverse, quite a few pulwars among them and one of the rajput tulwars even has a trisula mark.

[kwiatek]

Thanks very much! Interesting mix of Persian and other things made to resemble Persian inscriptions. I recognise Dara Shikoh’s sword from the V&A in there

[GePi]

Originally Posted by kwiatek

Thanks very much! Interesting mix of Persian and other things made to resemble Persian inscriptions. I recognise Dara Shikoh’s sword from the V&A in there

Yep, that picture is better than the one on their website. I think I photographed this one out of one of Robert Elgood's books.

[Jim McDougall]

As far as I have understood, these cartouches in that same exact location at that quadrant of the blade forte are typically on N.Indian (subsequently also Afghan in those times) swords, and the script is Urdu.
It is compelling to consider possibly an arsenal or makers mark, but I have never seen proof of either.

[GePi]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

As far as I have understood, these cartouches in that same exact location at that quadrant of the blade forte are typically on N.Indian (subsequently also Afghan in those times) swords, and the script is Urdu.
It is compelling to consider possibly an arsenal or makers mark, but I have never seen proof of either.

On that note, look what I just now found while semi-randomly browsing around on instagram.
I find this rather interesting, the only variation is with the characters in the upper right corner. Maybe it is some kind of 'serial number'?
And it is even the same pattern of hilt.