Splendid silver Tulwar for translation and comments

Gonzoadler · 28th June 2025, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

Hi,
The scabbard drag on the item in question is a nod to the scabbard drags on British military swords. This Afghan sword is a local attempt to copy British style swords and scabbards. From my enquiries these modifications were done to existing swords and scabbards in the later 19thC when local Afghans were recruited for service with the British colonial forces. The similarity of the drags is obvious. I suspect the scabbard in question if not the complete sword is at the earliest late 19thC although I hate to say I'm with some others in that sometime in the 20thC seems more likely but I would like to be wrong.
Regards,
Norman.

Thank you for your input, too, very interesting. You don't have to hate to write that because I principally agree with you. I don't think that the fittings are very recent, but my first feeling wasn't around 1800, rather around 1900. Of course some decades later is also possible, but I would say at least first third of the 20th century. Much younger is not very plausible for me because I see no purpose for such a sword much later.

Kind regards
Robin

Jim McDougall · 28th June 2025, 02:07 AM

You are a very gracious man Robin. We all hate to be bearers of bad tidings but want to honest. It is a beautifully made sword regardless, and many collectors are aesthetic oriented seeing the artistic merits rather than historic elements. In cases like this, a little of both as the interpretations are often based on traditional and historic values.

Interested Party · 28th June 2025, 05:57 PM

Great point everyone. Really good discussion of an interesting item. Noone has mentioned something I find really interesting. The snake's head is on the inside (medial) aspect of the handle as it is carried. I guess that would make it more comfortable in the hand and could still be seen carried as a saber at an angle, but, still, it's an interesting design aspect to me.

The northern Indian/Afghan ideas seems a good one. The Afghans liked their swords in the 20th century to my understanding. The pommel shape looks familiar, is it a Deccan, Vijayanagar reference?

28th June 2025, 02:07 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,656	You are a very gracious man Robin. We all hate to be bearers of bad tidings but want to honest. It is a beautifully made sword regardless, and many collectors are aesthetic oriented seeing the artistic merits rather than historic elements. In cases like this, a little of both as the interpretations are often based on traditional and historic values.

28th June 2025, 05:57 PM	#3
Interested Party Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Eastern Sierra Posts: 511	Great point everyone. Really good discussion of an interesting item. Noone has mentioned something I find really interesting. The snake's head is on the inside (medial) aspect of the handle as it is carried. I guess that would make it more comfortable in the hand and could still be seen carried as a saber at an angle, but, still, it's an interesting design aspect to me. The northern Indian/Afghan ideas seems a good one. The Afghans liked their swords in the 20th century to my understanding. The pommel shape looks familiar, is it a Deccan, Vijayanagar reference?