Baluchistan/Omani shamshir

[ALEX]

Originally Posted by Kubur

... When you look at the sword: blade, quillons, pommel, leather on the scabbard, the Persian influence is obvious...

I had the very same thought, strong Persian influence and Pakistani workmanship. Persia is also closest neighbor to Baluchistan I believe.

[ariel]

I might have added Persia, but reconsidered.
The only Persian feature here is the blade ( likely). It might have been forged in India, Afghanistan or locally, in Sindh. Itinerant bladesmiths were dime a dozen in that part of the world. Also, in the 19 century Persian blades were exported in thousands all over Eurasia: Caucasus, Aravia, Ottoman Empire, Afghanistan, India, Russian Empire..
IMHO, the national character of the sword is determined by its furniture. An Indian sword with Persian blade is a “ Tulwar with Persian blade”. Similarly, a Shashka with Persian, German, Russian or Polish blade is still Caucasian and a saber with a bulbous pommel is still an Ottoman Kilij despite a Mamluke blade. I have a couple of Tulwars with British blades, a Moroccan Nimcha with ( what was suggested here) Indian blade, and another one with a likely German trade blade destined for South America, and Ethiopian Gurades with German and Russian blades.
As you can see, I am an adherent of the Polish school of attribution:-)

This saber comes from a part of India, has a typical Sindhi handle, but has Omani feature of silver wire by the crossguard. It has an Arabian baldric instead of Persian suspension rings. Would you invoke Persian connection if the blade had Indian ricasso?
That was my thought.
I am not wedded to it. Would love to discuss and change my opinion.

[Kubur]

Originally Posted by ariel

I am not wedded to it. Would love to discuss and change my opinion.

I'm glad to read that.
So let's do it

First, of course, you are right it's a balutch sword.

then

Originally Posted by ariel

IMHO, the national character of the sword is determined by its furniture.
As you can see, I am an adherent of the Polish school of attribution:-)

I agree too. And a Spanish / South American blade on a Moroccan berber sword is a Berber sword...

Originally Posted by ariel

The only Persian feature here is the blade ( likely).

This saber comes from a part of India, has a typical Sindhi handle, but has Omani feature of silver wire by the crossguard.

It has an Arabian baldric instead of Persian suspension rings.

Here I disagree, you have 2 suspension rings on the scabbard.

The gorgeous baldric was added later.

The leather work and guard look Persian.

I feel that this sword was a Persian shamshir refurbished in Balutchistan, with Omani silver work influences...

[ihutch1]

Ariel, what a beautiful, complete set. Very lucky!

Apologies for the imposition, but may I request a photo of the back side of the baldric straps? I'm very interested in the design and construction, I'd like to have a go replicating it.

Thanks for sharing this!

[CharlesS]

Ariel,

Here is an example I acquired at the Baltimore show. You can see stylistically they are so similar. The baldric is mounted in a different style.

The blade is good quality wootz, but I believe there is something about the cartouches that upset the owner...one has been completely erased, and there seems to have been an attempt to erase the other one above it.

It's always nice when we can find swords so complete.

[ariel]

These pommels with down-turned configuration always reminded me of “camel head” Indian ones with “dulla”, a highly unappetizing protrusion of saliva- covered mucosa that appears during camel’s sexual excitement.

What do females find attractive about it, and why could not a male just hold a bouquet of roses in his mouth instead, makes sense only to a camel....

[CharlesS]

Ariel, it's a shame that's all your saw in that sword. What a sad, loathsome, example it is!