Afghan Pulowar blade type?

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

In an attempt to iron out what was and what was not reproduced at Mashin Khana or subsidiary factories in Kabul I extract and Quote the following from http://britishmilitariaforums.yuku.c...4#.V-UAdnqrGxF
Quote"

1880: Abdur Rahman officially recognized as Amir
1885: - “When Lord Dufferin assumed the Viceroyalty one of his first acts was to invite the Amir to India in order to cement the relations between Afghanistan and Great Britain. Abdur Rahman agreed, and afterwards met the Viceroy at Rawul Pindi.”

The Amir engaged M. Jerome, a French Electrical Engineer to establish the manufacture of arms and ammunition at Kabul.

While visiting Lord Dufferin, “A portable engine with, a dynamo and flashlight attached caught the Ameer's eye and gave him the idea of introducing machinery into Afghanstan. A Frenchman in charge of this machinery accepted the Ameer's invitation to go to Kabul”…..

“Shortly after his arrival at Kabul he looked out of his window one morning and saw two men hanging on the gallows and two women having their throats cut.

The spectacle proved too much for the chivalrous Frenchman. On being sent to Europe to buy machinery he determined not to risk his skin, again. The machinery was forthcoming, but not the Frenchman.''

“Some months passed by and the Ameer wrote to the Indian Government asking them to send an engineer. To this they replied that they could not officially comply with this request, but if the Ameer specified an individual, permission would be given for him to cross the frontier. In the result I [Salter Pyne] was allowed to go to Afghanistan, and on March 12th, 1885, I left Peshawar for Cabul.” Pyne was 25 years old at the time.

“Pyne was approached and contracted in 1887 through Abd al-Rahman's Envoy in Calcutta”

Mr. Salter Pyne, English Mechanical Engineer entered service of Amir with permission of the Government of India in 1887.

[COMMENT: Note the disparity in dates in the preceding three passages – based on Pyne’s birth year of 1860, his age of 25 upon departure, and his own testimony of departure in the year 1885, 1887 probably reflects when the appointment was officially documented in Indian records.]

“Born in 1860 at Broseley, he commenced life as a lad in the Birmingham machinery works of Tangye and Co. He soon worked up to the position of manager of foundry and engineering works, and at the age of 22 went out to Calcutta for an engineering firm. He was still in Calcutta when the Ameer paid a visit to Lord Dufferin at Rawal Pindi.”

ca.1886 - 1889: “Sir Walter Pyne, a Yorkshireman, first arrived in Kabul in 1886 and started a workshop…” ." “At the end of three months 'the buildings were finished, and Mr Pyne was dispatched to Europe to procure machinery.” Eighteen months were spent in getting machinery and plant specially made in England, and a similar period elapsed after his return before the machinery arrived at Cabul.” These eventually grew to workshops, sawmills, steam hammers, lathes, and machines for making a variety of articles, from breech-loading cannon to soap and candles. Particular attention was given to the fashioning of arms and the supply of munitions of war.”

1891: Rifles, cannons, ammunition, and boots were being produced at the mashin khana.

1893: In 1893 fifty muzzle and breech-loading field guns were cast and drilled, and a large number of Martini-Henry Rifles were turned out. Cartridges were being filled at the rate of three thousand daily.”

“Mr. Pyne was at one time engaged in an arms factory in England. At Kabul they turn out a rifle of the Martini-Henry Pattern. The barrel is made by machinery, but the stock mechanism and sighting is done by hand. About 3,000 Martini-Henri cartridges are manufactured daily. There is also plant for manufacturing Snider cartridges, but it has not yet been set up.”

1894: “By 1894 Sir Salter was turning out 7000 Martini and 900 Snider cartridges a day. He next turned his attention and that of his Afghans to the manufacture of Martini- Henry gun barrels and set up a steam hammer and a forge. Muzzle and breechloading field guns then made their appearance.

“In 1898 They turned out two Gardiners and two Maxims every month, and 120 Nordenfeldts a year, also 120 quick-firing field pieces, ranging from six to 14 pounders, every year. The daily output of rifles was 25 and every 24 hours 10,000 Snider and 10,000 Martin cartridges were produced.”

1898: “In 1898, after 13 years faithful service to the Ameer, Sir Salter left Afghanistan.”

LOCATION OF THE WORKSHOP

“Workshop situate on the banks of the Kabul River where it emerges from the gorge between the Asmai and Sher Derwaza mountains into the Kabul valley. There is a small steam-hammer, a stationary engine, lathes, cartridge plant, and a minting-machine operating under the direction of Mr. Pyne and his European assistants.”

“In 1898 the foundries and workshops —second to none in the world. In their elaborate equipment and up-to-date fittings— covered an area of a third of a mile long by 200 yards wide. Three thousand three hundred Afghans were employed, a large percentage of the whole population of Kabul.”

NOTE: ON THE TERM “mashin khana”

It has been speculated that there may be a Russian connection to this term used to reference the work shop complex. Given the Amir’s eleven year exile in Russian Turkestan prior to his return to Afghanistan this could be very probable.

SOURCES AND CREDITS: All references cited are readily available on the internet and use of quote marks above indicate direct quotes from the original source and full attribute to the original author.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdur_Rahman_Khan (Accessed 7 Jan 12)
[2] THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFGHANISTAN Timaru Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 5917, 16 March 1894, Page 3
[3] Wheeler, Stephen. The Ameer Abdur Rahman; Bliss, Sands and Foster (London 1895); page 218-219
[4] FROM ARTISAN TO AMBASSADOR. AFGHANISTAN'S CIVILISER. EN ROUTE FOR AUSTRALASIA. Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 34, 9 February 1901, Page 3
[5] The Ameer. His Armaments. Government Cruelties. Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 68, 21 March 1896, Page 4
[6] Hanifi, Shah Mahmoud. CONNECTING HISTORIES IN AFGHANISTAN, Market Relations and State Formation on a Colonial Frontier; Columbia University Press, (Online 2008). Note 63
[7] The Annual register of world events: a review of the year, Volume 133 (1891). Longmans, Green, and Co. (London, 1892). Edited by Edmund Burke. Page 365 and 366
Same passage found in:
Design Council. Engineering, Volume 51 (July 17, 1891) Page 161
[8] Wheeler, Stephen. The Ameer Abdur Rahman; Bliss, Sands and Foster (London 1895); page 221
[9] The Ameer’s Soap Factory in Afghanistan published in the American soap journal and manufacturing chemist, Volumes 3-5; Henry Gathmann Publisher (Chicago, April 1, 1893 Vol. IV, No 1). Page 198
[10] Journal of the Society of Arts, Volume 42. Society of Arts (Great Britain, from November 17, 1893 to November 16, 1894. Page 264

[[edited to correct variants to 7 distinct types]] "Unquote.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

I refocus on the title Afghan Pulowar Blade Type below..and Quote"
A North Indian Or Afghan Pulouar
18th/19th Century
With earlier curved single-edged blade of finely watered wootz steel with narrow fuller along the back for most of its length on each side (expertly joined at the forte, some light pitting), russet steel hilt of characteristic form with brass-inlaid decoration and borders, comprising shaped pointed langets, downbent stylised makara-head quillons, hollow cup-shaped pommel pierced with small holes between raised spiral lines, originally filled with jingles and retained by a disc-shaped cap with engraved border between brass lines and surmounted by a domed finial with small pierced terminal, and swelling grip, in its wooden scabbard covered in blackened leather over cord lines and scrollwork, russet suspension mounts (chape missing), and two rings for suspension. 76 cm. blade.
Footnotes Literature: Pinchot, p.64, fig.4-13
For a related example see Hales, p.374, fig.931." Unquote.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Staying with the main theme The Afghan Pulwar/ Pulouar; See below the 1880 item held up in the centre of the picture of Afghan Police with weapons...

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

This Pulouar has an interesting dot configuration using the figure 5 geometry. Talismanic figure 5's decorate the blade in several places in 3/5 shared multiples. There is a triple dot protecting the point region. The blade has a signature stamped at the throat.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Jens Nordlunde]

Ibrahiim,
This is quite interesting, as I dont remember to have seen these dot markings in the middle of fullers.
I too have these dot markings, but at the beginning and at the end of the fullers. It is almost as if tthe dot marks 'closes' the fullers, but so far I dont know what they indicate.
Jens

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

Ibrahiim,
This is quite interesting, as I dont remember to have seen these dot markings in the middle of fullers.
I too have these dot markings, but at the beginning and at the end of the fullers. It is almost as if the dot marks 'closes' the fullers, but so far I dont know what they indicate.
Jens

Often they "appear" to protect the point of the blade or the throat. In actual fact they are thus protecting the wielder of the weapon. They occur in one, three, or in this case a combination of a three and a five geometry.


Atkinson Swords notes at http://atkinson-swords.com/sword-mak...rass-dots.html

Quote" Brass Dots ~Inset brass dots are found on blades from many regions. Note that holes in blades may be an intended part of the design, or may once have been plugged with a particular metal such as brass, gold or copper.

The size, configuration or relative arrangement of dots on blades may or may not have special meaning. A modern interpretation of the brass is a matter of inquiry. Theories include inset brass dots as esthetic aspects of an overal design, maker’s marks, signifiers of quality, symbolic significance,
imparting talismanic, or magical properties to a weapon.

The placing dots of brass (or other metals) evolved from an ancient practice in early Frankish blades. In some cases, these ancient dots were arranged to form specific symbols. Sometimes a dot was simply a gold nail. The practice spread to numerous other areas, perhaps as a result of the influence on local designs brought by trade. It is important to remember that the placing of brass dots, application of marks, use of design motifs and so on is particular to the smith and individual ordering the weapon in a particular time, place and cultural context.

Brass dots may appear on both sides of the blade (possibly as a plug for a hole) or on one side only.

INDIA

It has been proposed that inset brass dots in India were placed strategically to add apotropaic (anti-magical) properties to the iron in the blade. in some cases there are many dots, arranged in patterns of threes. These may represent the trimurti (trinity of three), an important attribute in many faiths. The trimurti configuration on Indian blades often appears on strategic locations on blades, such as at terminus of fullers and blade root.

Indian steel and weapons, such as jambiyas, often made their way to Africa as important trade items. Both Arab and Persian smiths and other communities were present in India and may have learned the practice there.

NORTH AFRICA, ARABIA AND THE MIDDLE EAST

In the Arabian Penninsula the practice of inset brass dots is very rare. A local contact in Yemen of one collector reported that dots appearing on jambiya in the “poison” area of the blade are supposed to signify the number of kills by the blade. This explanation appears in other regions as well, and also in reference to holes in the blade (which may or may not have held a brass inset at one time). The theory should be regarded as highly speculative, even a myth invented long after the fact by locals and collectors.

The religious belief that iron and steel of a blade causes death is well known in North Africa (e.g., Tuareg) and led to the use of brass to protect a person’s hand from touching the metal.

INDONESIA AND PHILIPPINES

The mandau of the inland Dayak tribes (Penan and Kayan) on Borneo may feature "lantak paku”, ten small inlaid circles of brass, two next to each other in five groups aligned near the edge of the blade.

CHINA

Chinese Jian swords often have inset brass dots. A configuration of seven dots represents the celestial “big dipper” in the great Bear constellation. Celestial features are very important in Chinese faiths and traditions. This practice is reported related to martial arts and an ancient historic warrior who carried a sword with that pattern. Chinese smiths traveled for work in various southeast Asian regions and the practice of inset brass dots likely spread as a result of their influence. The feature of seven brass dots may also refer to a fabled blade-making area in Chine known as the “seven wells.” Unquote.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[S.Al-Anizi]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

NORTH AFRICA, ARABIA AND THE MIDDLE EAST

In the Arabian Penninsula the practice of inset brass dots is very rare. A local contact in Yemen of one collector reported that dots appearing on jambiya in the “poison” area of the blade are supposed to signify the number of kills by the blade. This explanation appears in other regions as well, and also in reference to holes in the blade (which may or may not have held a brass inset at one time). The theory should be regarded as highly speculative, even a myth invented long after the fact by locals and collectors.

The religious belief that iron and steel of a blade causes death is well known in North Africa (e.g., Tuareg) and led to the use of brass to protect a person’s hand from touching the metal.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Hello,

In Arab tradition (this practice dates to pre-islam) brass as a metal is used to ward off the "evil eye" and also repel the jinn. This belief is still prevalent in many societies in Arabia still.

Regards,

Sager