New Book: "Edged Weapons of Afghanistan"

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

In current discussions on Khyber knives and Afghan shashkas, it seemed timely to present some words on this wonderful new book, authored by our own Dmitry Miloserdov , "Edged Weapons of Afghanistan: 19th-early 20th c." (2019).
This book, while in Russian text, is breathtakingly illustrated with amazing examples of pertinent weaponry, as well as many other great accompanying illustrations. While I do not speak or read Russian, there are concise captions to describe the images, and honestly, I am so captivated by the photos of these examples it does not seem to matter.

The author has carefully researched this material for a good number of years, and what parts of the text I have been able to read through translation are outstanding. There is little reference in the west on the subject of Afghan weaponry, typically simply brief and cursory notes in various well known books on broader studies of other regions. Therefore there is considerable debate and contention among students of ethnographic arms.

The author does not just accept nor repeat the often commonly held notions or views on the arms of Afghanistan or its neighboring countries and regions, but presents his own versions in a thoughtful and well supported manner.
That is what makes this book provocative, fascinating and exciting. It describes and as required, challenges what we have often come to accept in the little material long standing in reference to these arms.

In my personal opinion, this is a long overdue reference on a area of arms which has seldom received exclusive attention, with beautifully photographed weapons that are a complete joy to see. These rare weapons are compelling and to have them just to admire, is amazing, even in the pages of such a book.

I very much recommend this book !!!

An excellent addition to our detective arsenal Jim !! Thank You. Having a translation is also a huge bonus!!

Ibrahim al Balooshi

[mahratt]

Guys
To everyone who ordered my book I will start sending parcels in early October

[Gavin Nugent]

I've been absent for quite some time but none the less, I have been in contact with many during my time.
Dmitry is one such individual with whom I am in contact with, thanks to the modern applications found in FaceBook.

I have purchased this book for a number of reasons, one, being my love for Central Asian arms, two, I was lucky enough to be asked to provide some subject matter from my collections, three, Dmitry has become a good friend, and four, in support of a writer who has taken the time to fuel our collecting interests with another important reference benchmark and a little discussed region of the world.

Over the years I've found critics on every subject, many knowledgeable, but none have taken the time to do what Dmitry has done with this book.
I take my hat of to Dmitry for producing such a large and comprehensive book on the subject of Afghan arms.

In short, the content is comprehensive, the images, (as I have noted with dozens of Russian titles) are outstanding, very clear and detailed.

I am grateful for being able to digest the content in the translated English docs provided with the book and I am sure many would benefit from, if the stars are aligned, an English version of the book.

I look forward to seeing what the future holds.

Gavin

[mahratt]

Originally Posted by Gavin Nugent

I've been absent for quite some time but none the less, I have been in contact with many during my time.
Dmitry is one such individual with whom I am in contact with, thanks to the modern applications found in FaceBook.

I have purchased this book for a number of reasons, one, being my love for Central Asian arms, two, I was lucky enough to be asked to provide some subject matter from my collections, three, Dmitry has become a good friend, and four, in support of a writer who has taken the time to fuel our collecting interests with another important reference benchmark and a little discussed region of the world.

Over the years I've found critics on every subject, many knowledgeable, but none have taken the time to do what Dmitry has done with this book.
I take my hat of to Dmitry for producing such a large and comprehensive book on the subject of Afghan arms.

In short, the content is comprehensive, the images, (as I have noted with dozens of Russian titles) are outstanding, very clear and detailed.

I am grateful for being able to digest the content in the translated English docs provided with the book and I am sure many would benefit from, if the stars are aligned, an English version of the book.

I look forward to seeing what the future holds.

Gavin

Dear Gavin, thank you for your words and for the items that you provided for my book.

Guys, from tomorrow I'll start sending books to those I promised. The books are heavy, so I will send one book a day

[MForde]

Another title for my (already lengthy) must-buy list!

[mahratt]

Originally Posted by MForde

Another title for my (already lengthy) must-buy list!

No problems. Please write me your mailing address.

[mariusgmioc]

Got my copy and...

... WOW! 🤩🤩🤩

This is truly a Bible of Afghan weapons!
A must have for every collector!

Excellent work Mahratt!